The Department of State Services (DSS) has instructed its private counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, to take steps to seek an adjournment in the case of alleged cyber-bullying it instituted against African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, until after the next presidential election slated for January 16, 2027.
The DSS had approached the court to determine if it was proper for Sowore to allegedly cyber-bully President Bola Tinubu in August 25, 2025 posts on his “X” handle and Facebook page, referring to the President as a “criminal.” The DSS also instructed that cases of contestants for other elective positions should also be reviewed accordingly.
The secret police stated that the Sowore matter was to seek judicial interpretation on the propriety of arbitrarily calling President Bola Tinubu or any individual a criminal, in the same way it approached the court to rule on the legality of Professor Pat Utomi’s “Shadow Government.”
The DSS, in a September 6, 2025 letter to the chairman of Meta Corp, stated that, aside from protecting the President from physical threats, it is also, by law, empowered to protect him from psychological attacks.
After Sowore’s posts, the DSS gave him seven days to pull them down. After the expiration of the ultimatum, and he (Sowore) still refused to pull down the posts, the secret police, without inviting or arresting him, approached the court for adjudication on September 16, 2025.
A credible source close to the DSS lawyer disclosed that the Director-General, Mr Tosin Ajayi, met with the senior lawyer and top officers of the DSS’ legal directorate on August 20, a day after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially lifted the ban on campaigns, to consider asking the court for an adjournment to enable Sowore fully exercise his right to contest the upcoming 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 disclosed.
He added: “The DSS boss told the lawyers that, since the matter had been in court for nearly a year, suspending it for another few months wouldn’t make much difference.”
The source added that the position of the DSS on adjourning the matter with Sowore is expected to be formally communicated to the Federal High Court from Monday, September 14, 2026, seeking the indulgence of the court for the adjournment, when the court is expected to resume normal sittings after returning from annual judicial vacation. Other cases involving other candidates are being reviewed, he added.
When contacted, counsel Kehinde confirmed the above position and reiterated that it is in consonance with the civilised approach of the current DGSS, who will always ensure a level playing field and opportunity for everyone. “We will seek the indulgence of the court for the adjournment.”
