The Department of State Services (DSS) has defended its handling of the case involving activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, insisting that his remand in Kuje Correctional Centre was the outcome of court proceedings and not the result of actions taken by the agency.

In a statement posted on its official X account and signed by Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the Service said it had taken note of public concerns following events at the Federal High Court in Abuja on June 22, 2026, which culminated in Sowore’s remand.

The DSS also disclosed that its Director-General had ordered an immediate investigation into the conduct of operatives involved in an incident outside the court premises after videos emerged showing Sowore in an altercation with an official of the Nigerian Correctional Service and what appeared to be a scuffle involving DSS personnel.

“The Department of State Services (DSS) has noted concerns of some citizens over events at a Federal High Court in Abuja on 22nd June 2026, leading to the remand of Omoyele Sowore in Kuje Prison,” the statement said.

“Of more concern, is the scene depicting Sowore’s altercation with an official of Custodial Center and a seeming scuffle with operatives of the Service. Although at the end of the saga, he curiously opted for a DSS vehicle instead of that of the Correctional Service, the Director General has ordered an immediate investigation into the alleged conduct of Service operatives involved in the incident.”

The Service said it considered it necessary to “set the records straight” regarding the circumstances that led to the ongoing legal proceedings against Sowore.

According to the DSS, the case stemmed from a social media post made by Sowore on August 25, 2025, on his personal X and Facebook accounts.

The agency quoted the post as saying: “This criminal actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE CORRUPTION in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly.”

The DSS alleged that the comment disparaged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and embellished the facts.

“Rather than resort to arrest, the Service, in a letter dated 4th September, 2025 demanded a retraction within one week,” it stated.

“This is in line with the practice of the current DG-DSS to resolve such issues without use of force, failure to which it may resort to judicial interpretation.”

To support its claim of adherence to due process, the Service cited previous cases in which it said it pursued legal remedies instead of arrests.

“Specifically, in the case of Prof. Pat Utomi’s Shadow Government, the Service sought a judicial explanation even without any arrest or invitation. The Federal High Court thereafter declared the Shadow Government unconstitutional,” the statement said.

“Also, the false publications on Lagos State House of Assembly invasion by Service operatives and a similar report by Order Paper, alleging a barricade of the National Assembly Complex, the Service demanded a public apology rather than apprehend anyone in both instances. It is on record that, DSS withdrew all charges immediately after the defaulting media houses made a redress.”

The agency further referenced defamation suits instituted by two of its operatives against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

“In the same vein, two Service operatives sought judicial redress and won their cases against SERAP for defamation and libel on their false alarm of an invasion by the said operatives,” it said.

“In this case also, the Court delivered judgment in favour of the said operatives. In all these, the Service maintained its hygiene and adherence to rule of law.”

The DSS explained that it subsequently instituted criminal proceedings against Sowore under the Cybercrimes Act.

“Therefore, in line with SSS Instrument No. 1 of 1999, made pursuant to NSA Act of 1986, the Service filed charges against Sowore for contravening section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Amendment Act, 2024 in a suit FHC/ABJ/CR/481/2025 seeking a judicial interpretation of his right or otherwise to disparage and cyberbully the President,” the statement said.

The agency added that it did not oppose Sowore’s initial release on bail.

“The public may wish to note that, Sowore was granted bail on self-recognition even without a surety at the commencement of the trial, a position the Service did not oppose and even Sowore applauded the development,” it stated.

Maintaining that it played no role in the revocation of Sowore’s bail, the DSS said: “From the foregoing, it is clear the issues that led to his bail revocation and subsequent remand were entirely premised on the court processes, as the Service neither arrested nor opposed his bail.”

“DSS therefore assures of sustained priority to professionalism, with emphasis on civility in its operations, even at the face of provocation.” (Arise News)

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