Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS), has ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the remand of activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, following a courtroom incident in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the agency said it was responding to public concern over events at the Federal High Court on 22 June 2026, which culminated in Sowore’s remand at Kuje Correctional Centre.
The DSS acknowledged “concerns of some citizens” and pointed specifically to “the scene depicting Sowore’s altercation with an official of Custodial Center and a seeming scuffle with operatives of the Service.”
While noting that Sowore later “curiously opted for a DSS vehicle instead of that of the Correctional Service”, the agency disclosed that its Director-General had “ordered an immediate investigation into the alleged conduct of Service operatives involved in the incident.”
Providing background to the case, the DSS said the charges against Sowore stemmed from a social media post made in August 2025 in which he criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the statement, Sowore had written: “this criminal actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE CORRUPTION in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly.”
Rather than effect an arrest at the time, the agency said it issued a letter requesting a retraction within one week, describing the move as part of its policy to resolve disputes without force.
“Rather than resort to arrest, the Service… 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,” it said.
The DSS added that legal action was only initiated after the demand was not met, noting that it filed charges under the Cybercrimes Act to seek “a judicial interpretation of his right or otherwise to disparage and cyberbully the President.”
It further stressed that Sowore had initially been granted bail on self-recognition without a surety, a decision it did not oppose.
“The public may wish to note that Sowore was granted bail on self-recognition even without a surety at the commencement of the trial, a position the Service did not oppose, and even Sowore applauded the development,” the statement said.
“The agency distanced itself from the decision to revoke his bail, insisting that “the issues that led to his bail revocation and subsequent remand were entirely premised on the court processes.”
Citing previous cases, the DSS maintained that it had consistently relied on legal processes rather than arrests in handling disputes, including matters involving civil society groups and media organisations.
“DSS therefore assures of sustained priority to professionalism, with emphasis on civility in its operations, even in the face of provocation,” the statement added.
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