Alleged Cybercrime: DSS Pushes to Delay Sowore’s Prosecution Until After 2027 Presidential Election

Alleged Cybercrime: DSS Pushes to Delay Sowore’s Prosecution Until After 2027 Presidential Election

By Gabriel Kekong

(Core Reporters) — The Department of State Services (DSS) has instructed its private counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) to seek an adjournment in the alleged cyber-bullying case against African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, until after the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027.

The DSS had approached the court to determine whether Sowore’s August 25, 2025 posts on his X handle and Facebook page, in which he allegedly referred to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “criminal,” amounted to cyber-bullying.

The secret police also directed that cases involving contestants for other elective positions be reviewed accordingly.

According to the DSS, the case involving Sowore was instituted to seek judicial interpretation on the propriety of arbitrarily describing President Tinubu, or any other individual, as a “criminal.” The agency said the matter was similar to its previous approach to the court over the legality of Professor Pat Utomi’s proposed “Shadow Government.”

In a September 6, 2025 letter to the Chairman of Meta Corp, the DSS stated that, in addition to protecting the President from physical threats, it is also empowered by law to protect him from psychological attacks.

Following Sowore’s posts, the DSS gave him seven days to remove them. After the expiration of the ultimatum and his refusal to take down the posts, the agency, without inviting or arresting him, approached the court on September 16, 2025, seeking adjudication.

However, a source close to the DSS counsel disclosed that Director-General of the DSS, Mr. Tosin Ajayi, met with the senior lawyer and top officials of the agency’s Legal Directorate on August 20, a day after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially lifted the ban on campaigns.

The meeting, according to the source, considered seeking an adjournment of the case to enable Sowore to fully exercise his right to contest the forthcoming presidential election.

“The DSS boss reportedly told the Senior Advocate and his directorate of legal services that, with the commencement of presidential campaigns, it would only be fair to adjourn the court case in order to enable Sowore fully participate in the upcoming elections without let or hindrance,” the source said.

The source added that the DSS leadership considered the proposed adjournment reasonable because the case had already been before the court for nearly a year.

“The DSS boss told the lawyers that, since the matter had been in court for nearly a year, suspending it for another few months wouldn’t make much difference,” the source added.

The source further disclosed that the DSS is expected to formally communicate its position to the Federal High Court from Monday, September 14, 2026, when the court is expected to resume normal sittings after the annual judicial vacation.

The agency is expected to seek the court’s indulgence for the adjournment, while other cases involving political candidates are also being reviewed, the source said.

When contacted, A.T. Kehinde, SAN, confirmed the position, saying it was consistent with the “civilised approach” of the current DSS Director-General, who, he said, is committed to ensuring a level playing field and equal opportunity for all contestants.

“We will seek the indulgence of the court for the adjournment,” Kehinde said.