Sowore’s post on Tinubu threatened public safety – DSS official

An official of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday told a Federal High Court in Abuja that a social media post by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, in which he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a criminal, generated tension and threatened public safety.

The DSS operative, identified as Cyril Nosike, testified as the prosecution opened its case in the criminal defamation and cybercrime trial of Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC).

Sowore is being prosecuted by the DSS over a post allegedly made on his verified X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts, in which he described President Tinubu as a criminal. The charge is said to contravene provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

Led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, Nosike said he is stationed at the DSS Cyber Space Monitoring Centre, where he monitors online activities around the clock.

He told the court that on August 26, 2025, he detected and monitored Sowore’s post on X, which was made alongside a video of the president.

According to the witness, Sowore wrote: “This criminal @OfficialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”

Nosike said he downloaded the video and saved it on a flash drive, which he marked as exhibit “XYZ,” along with a certificate of compliance. The items were tendered in evidence, while defence counsel, Marshall Abubakar, reserved his objection.

The witness further testified that screenshots of reactions to the post showed it was generating tension. As a result, the DSS wrote to X and Meta, requesting the takedown of the post. He added that the DSS also formally demanded a retraction from Sowore through his lawyers, but alleged that the confidential letter was later posted online.

Nosike said such posts complicate the work of security agencies and pose risks to national stability. The trial judge, Justice Umar, adjourned the matter until January 27 for cross-examination and continuation of hearing.

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