DSS Moves to Suspend Sowore’s Cybercrime Trial Until After 2027 Election

• DSS has directed its counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, to ask the Federal High Court to suspend proceedings in the alleged cybercrime case against African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, until after the 2027 presidential election.

• The decision follows a meeting between DSS Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, senior officers of the agency’s legal directorate and Kehinde, with the agency arguing that keeping the case in court during the electioneering period could hinder Sowore’s ability to participate fully in the presidential campaign.

• Sowore is facing amended charges under the Cybercrimes Act 2024 over social media posts in which he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal”.

• The DSS, which had previously argued that the suit was intended to obtain judicial clarification on whether anyone could publicly describe the President or another person as a “criminal”, is also reviewing similar cases involving other candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

August 30, () — The Department of State Services (DSS) has directed its counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, to seek an adjournment of the alleged cybercrime case against African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, until after the 2027 presidential election.

The decision, according to a source familiar with the matter, is aimed at ensuring that Sowore is able to participate fully in the electioneering process without the pending court proceedings constituting an impediment to his political activities.

Sowore, activist and presidential candidate of the AAC, was sued by the DSS over social media posts published on his X account and Facebook page on August 25, 2025, in which he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal”.

Following the publication of the posts, the DSS issued Sowore a seven-day ultimatum to remove them.

When he failed to comply with the directive, the security agency approached the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 16, 2025, seeking, among other things, judicial determination of whether it was lawful for an individual to publicly describe the President or any other person as a “criminal”.

The DSS initially joined X, formerly Twitter, and Meta, the parent company of Facebook, as defendants in the proceedings.

The Federal High Court, however, subsequently struck out the two technology companies from the suit, leaving Sowore as the sole defendant.

Sowore later pleaded not guilty to the amended charges filed against him under the Cybercrimes Act 2024.

The activist has consistently rejected the allegations against him, describing the prosecution as politically motivated and an attempt to suppress his right to freedom of expression and criticism of government.

He has also instituted separate fundamental rights proceedings against the DSS and the technology companies, challenging what he described as attempts to censor his speech.

Why DSS Is Seeking Adjournment

According to the source close to the DSS legal team, the agency’s Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, met with Kehinde and senior officers in the legal directorate on August 20 to deliberate on the possibility of pausing the case.

The meeting reportedly took place shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lifted the ban on campaigns for the 2027 presidential election.

The source said Ajayi directed the legal team to seek an adjournment so that Sowore could participate in the election without the proceedings creating a distraction or limiting his political activities.

“The DSS boss reportedly told the Senior Advocate and his directorate of legal services that, with the commencement of presidential campaigns, it would only be fair to pause the court case in order to enable Sowore fully participate in the upcoming elections without let or hindrance,” the source said.

The source further disclosed that Ajayi considered the case to have already spent almost a year before the court and that an additional adjournment of about four months would not cause any significant prejudice.

The proposed suspension would therefore extend the proceedings beyond the height of the 2027 presidential campaign, allowing Sowore to concentrate on his political activities before returning to court.

Agency Reviewing Other Election Cases

The DSS is also reportedly reviewing similar cases involving candidates seeking other elective positions ahead of the 2027 general election.

The review is expected to determine whether any pending proceedings involving political candidates could interfere with their participation in the electoral process.

The agency had previously maintained that its action against Sowore was not primarily aimed at preventing him from engaging in political activities but was intended to obtain judicial interpretation of the legality of describing President Tinubu, or indeed any other individual, as a “criminal”.

In a September 6, 2025 letter to the chairman of Meta, the DSS argued that its statutory responsibility to protect the President extended beyond physical security threats to include psychological attacks.

Case To Resume After Judicial Vacation

The source said the DSS decision to seek a suspension of the proceedings is expected to be formally communicated to the Federal High Court from Monday, September 14, 2026, when the court is expected to resume normal sittings after its annual judicial vacation.

Sowore, who has previously been granted bail by the Federal High Court on self-recognition, is expected to remain active in the 2027 presidential campaign.

The planned move by the DSS comes as political parties and their candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 elections, with the campaign period expected to generate increased scrutiny of the Federal Government and political office holders.