DSS Moves to Suspend Sowore’s Cyberbullying Case Until After 2027 Election

The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly directed its private counsel, Akinolu Kehinde, SAN, to take steps towards suspending the alleged cyberbullying case against African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore until after the 2027 presidential election.

The development followed a reported meeting involving DSS Director-General Tosin Ajayi, the senior lawyer and senior officials of the agency’s legal directorate on August 20, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The meeting reportedly considered putting the case on hold to allow Sowore to participate fully in the 2027 presidential election without the court proceedings becoming a hindrance to his campaign.

Sowore is expected to contest the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027.

According to the source, Ajayi told the agency’s lawyers that, with the commencement of the presidential campaign period, it would be appropriate to pause the case and allow Sowore to participate in the electoral process.

The source further quoted the DSS Director-General as saying that the case had already remained before the court for almost a year and that suspending it for another four months would not make a significant difference.

The DSS is reportedly expected to communicate its position to the Federal High Court when regular court sittings resume from September 14, 2026, following the annual judicial vacation.

If the request is granted, the case would effectively remain in abeyance during the presidential campaign and the 2027 election period.

The case arose from social media posts made by Sowore on August 25, 2025, in which he referred to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “criminal”.

Following the posts, the DSS reportedly gave Sowore seven days to delete the statements, but he declined to comply.

The secret police subsequently approached the Federal High Court seeking a determination on whether the statements amounted to cyberbullying and whether describing the President or another individual as a criminal without a prior court pronouncement was legally permissible.

The case has attracted attention because of Sowore’s political activities and his expected participation in the 2027 presidential election.

The reported decision by the DSS to seek a pause in the proceedings would mark a significant development in the case, although any suspension would ultimately depend on the position of the court.

As of the time of publication, the reported move remains subject to formal communication before the Federal High Court and any subsequent judicial decision.

Source: Punch Newspaper