BREAKING: Sowore rejects DSS account of courtroom incident, accuses agency of misleading public

Crime Diary, Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has rejected the Department of State Services (DSS) account of events surrounding his remand by a Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing the agency of orchestrating his alleged harassment and unlawful detention within the court premises.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Sowore dismissed the DSS claim that it had launched an investigation into the conduct of operatives involved in the incident, describing the move as an attempt to mislead the public.

According to him, the operation was allegedly planned and coordinated by senior officials of the agency.

“The claim that they are investigating those who assaulted and unlawfully held me hostage is an insult to intelligence,” Sowore said.

He alleged that DSS operatives harassed him from the Kuje Correctional Centre to the Federal High Court and later took control of parts of the court premises, intimidating lawyers and members of the public.

Sowore further claimed that the operation was frustrated by the presence of supporters gathered outside the court complex.

The activist maintained that he would continue to challenge what he described as abuse of power and suppression of dissent.

“The struggle for justice, accountability and genuine democracy remains undiminished,” he said.

However, the DSS, in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, said the Director-General of the agency had ordered an immediate investigation into allegations involving its operatives during the incident.

The agency said public concerns followed scenes showing Sowore in an altercation with an official of the Nigerian Correctional Service and a subsequent confrontation involving DSS personnel.

According to the DSS, the case against Sowore originated from social media posts made in August 2025 in which he allegedly described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “a criminal.”

The agency said it initially sought a retraction through a formal letter rather than arresting him, in line with its policy of resolving such matters through lawful and non-coercive means.

It noted that when no retraction was made, charges were filed under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, seeking judicial interpretation of the legality of the statements.

The DSS stressed that Sowore was granted bail on self-recognition at the commencement of the trial, a decision it neither opposed nor challenged.

According to the agency, the circumstances that led to the revocation of his bail and subsequent remand were strictly the result of court proceedings and not actions taken by the service.

“The issues that led to his bail revocation and remand were entirely premised on court processes, as the Service neither arrested nor opposed his bail,” the DSS said.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, civility and adherence to the rule of law in the discharge of its responsibilities.

Sowore was remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre following proceedings before a Federal High Court in Abuja, a development that has generated reactions from rights groups and political figures across the country, including the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter, who described the development as an affront on democracy.