Sowore Responds to DSS Lawsuit Over Anti-Tinubu Remarks

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has vowed to face legal proceedings initiated by the Department of State Services (DSS) following his critical remarks about President Bola Tinubu.

On Tuesday, the DSS filed a five-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja, naming Sowore, social media platforms X (formerly Twitter), and Meta (the parent company of Facebook) as defendants. The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2015, allege that Sowore’s social media post, in which he referred to President Tinubu as a “criminal,” constitutes offenses under Nigerian law.

In response, Sowore expressed his readiness to face the charges, stating, “I will be present whenever this case is assigned for trial.” He criticized the DSS for introducing what he termed “novel” offenses and emphasized his commitment to his stance, declaring, “Even if you give me till the end of Tinubu’s tenure in 2027, I will NOT retract my statement.”

Earlier, the DSS had issued a one-week ultimatum to Sowore, demanding the removal of the post and an unreserved apology. Sowore rejected this demand, asserting his right to free expression and challenging the DSS’s authority to dictate the terms of his criticism.

The case has attracted significant attention, with various civil society groups and legal experts expressing concern over the implications for freedom of speech in Nigeria. As the legal proceedings unfold, Sowore remains steadfast in his position, underscoring the ongoing tension between government authorities and activists advocating for accountability and transparency.