DSS arraigns Sowore over alleged anti-Tinubu post

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned human rights activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged offensive social media post targeting President Bola Tinubu.

According to court documents, Sowore is facing a five-count charge linked to the alleged publication of false statements considered capable of causing public disorder and threatening national security.

The charge, dated September 16, 2025, was filed by the Federal Government through the Director of Public Prosecutions, M. B. Abubakar, alongside four other lawyers representing the DSS.

The prosecution alleged that Sowore, on August 25, used his official handle on X (formerly Twitter) to publish a statement referring to the President in terms considered derogatory. The post was said to contravene Section 24(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024.

Sowore was sighted at the Federal High Court premises in Abuja on Tuesday ahead of his formal arraignment.

The charge sheet also lists social media platforms X Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. as co-defendants, following their role in hosting the content.

According to the Federal Government, Sowore declined to delete the post after a formal request was sent to the platform by the DSS.

Confirming the legal action in a statement last week, Sowore said the case was politically motivated and vowed to defend himself in court.

“The State Security Service today filed a 5-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja against ‘X’, Facebook, and myself.

“They claimed that because I called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu a criminal, I have somehow committed a set of offences spread across five counts. Regardless, I will be present whenever this case is assigned for trial,” Sowore wrote.

He also reiterated his refusal to take down the post. “One option I will not be taking is deleting that tweet,” Sowore added.