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The Department of State Services (DSS) has acknowledged public concern over events at the High Court in Abuja on Monday that led to the remand of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore at Kuje Prison.
Viral videos showed a tense confrontation involving DSS operatives and Sowore‘s supporters following Monday’s court order. Sowore is expected to remain in custody until Wednesday, June 24, 2026, when the case resumes.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the agency’s Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, said, “The Department of State Services (DSS) has noted concerns of some citizens over events at a Federal High Court in Abuja on 22nd June 2026, leading to the remand of Omoyele Sowore in Kuje Prison.”
The DSS said it was equally concerned by footage showing Sowore’s altercation with a correctional officer and an apparent scuffle involving its operatives, adding that the Director General had ordered an immediate investigation.
“Although at the end of the saga, he curiously opted for a DSS vehicle instead of that of the Correctional Service, the Director General has ordered an immediate investigation into the alleged conduct of Service operatives involved in the incident,” the agency stated.
The Service said it considered it necessary to clarify the circumstances that led to the case. According to the DSS, the matter stemmed from a social media post Sowore made in 2025.
“On 25th August 2025, Omoyele Sowore, made a post on his personal X and Facebook handles, wherein he stated ‘this criminal actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE CORRUPTION in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly.’ Thus, disparaging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and embellishing his statement.”
Rather than arresting him immediately, the agency said it requested that he retract the statement.
“Rather than resort to arrest, the Service, in a letter dated 4th September, 2025 demanded a retraction within one week. This is in line with the practice of the current DG-DSS to resolve such issues without use of force, failure to which it may resort to judicial interpretation.”
The DSS cited the case involving Prof. Pat Utomi’s Shadow Government as another example where it sought judicial interpretation without making arrests.
The DSS maintained that all steps taken in Sowore’s case followed due legal process.
“Therefore, in line with SSS Instrument No. 1 of 1999, made pursuant to NSA Act of 1986, the Service filed charges against Sowore for contravening section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Amendment Act, 2024 in a suit FHC/ABJ/CR/481/2025 seeking a judicial interpretation of his right or otherwise to disparage and cyberbully the President,” it said.
The agency added that it did not oppose the bail granted to Sowore at the start of the trial, insisting that the revocation of Sowore’s bail and his subsequent remand resulted solely from court proceedings rather than any action by the DSS.
