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From Fred Itua, Abuja
The Department of State Services (DSS) has directed its counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Akinlolu Kehinde, to seek an adjournment of the cyber-bullying case instituted against African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, until after the 2027 presidential election.
The next presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The DSS had approached the court to determine whether Sowore’s August 25, 2025 posts on his X handle and Facebook page, in which he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal,” constituted cyber-bullying.
The secret police also directed that cases involving contestants for other elective positions should be reviewed accordingly.
The DSS said the Sowore case was instituted to obtain judicial interpretation on the propriety or otherwise of arbitrarily referring to President Tinubu or any other individual as a criminal.
It similarly sought judicial pronouncement on the legality of Professor Pat Utomi’s proposed “Shadow Government.”
In a letter dated September 6, 2025, addressed to the Chairman of Meta Corp, the DSS stated that, apart from protecting the President from physical threats, it was also empowered by law to protect him from psychological attacks.
Following Sowore’s posts, the DSS had given him seven days to pull them down.
However, after the expiration of the ultimatum, Sowore reportedly refused to remove the posts. The DSS did not invite or arrest him but approached the court on September 16, 2025, seeking adjudication on the matter.
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A source close to the DSS counsel disclosed that the Director-General of the service, Mr Tosin Ajayi, met with Kehinde and top officials of the DSS legal directorate on August 20, a day after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially lifted the ban on campaigns.
The meeting, according to the source, considered the possibility of asking the court to adjourn the case to enable Sowore fully exercise his constitutional right to contest the forthcoming presidential election.
“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 adjourn the court case in order to enable Sowore fully participate in the upcoming elections without let or hindrance,” the source said.
He added that the DSS Director-General was of the view that the case, having remained in court for nearly a year, could be suspended for a few more months without making much difference.
The source said the DSS was expected to formally communicate its position to the Federal High Court from Monday, September 14, 2026, when the court is expected to resume normal sittings after the annual judicial vacation.
The source further disclosed that other cases involving candidates contesting elective positions were also being reviewed by the DSS.
When contacted, Kehinde confirmed the development, saying the decision was in line with what he described as the “civilised approach” of the current Director-General of the DSS.
He said the agency was committed to ensuring a level playing field and giving every candidate the opportunity to participate fully in the electoral process.
“We will seek the indulgence of the court for the adjournment,” he said.
