DSS to Pause Omoyele Sowore's Cybercrime Case Until After 2027 Election

The Department of State Services has instructed its legal team to suspend the cyberbullying prosecution against Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate for the African Action Congress, until after the 2027 presidential election. The decision is intended to allow the political activist to participate fully in the democratic process without legal distraction.

The strategy was finalized during an August 20 meeting convened by the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Ajayi. The meeting included the agency's private counsel, Akinolu Kehinde, SAN, alongside senior officials from the secret police's legal directorate.

According to sources close to the counsel, the DSS leadership determined that pausing the courtroom proceedings would provide a level playing field as presidential campaigning begins. Ajayi reportedly informed the legal team that pausing the suit would ensure Sowore faces no hindrance while campaigning for office.

The DSS chief also noted that because the case has been active before the Federal High Court for nearly a year, delaying the proceedings for another four months would not prejudice the judicial process.

The security agency is expected to formally submit its request to suspend the trial when the Federal High Court resumes normal sittings on September 14, 2026, following the court's annual judicial vacation. A favorable ruling by the court would keep the lawsuit in abeyance throughout the campaign season leading up to the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027.

The cybercrime suit originated from social media posts Sowore published on his X and Facebook accounts on August 25, 2025. In those posts, the opposition figure publicly referred to President Bola Tinubu as a criminal.

In response to the online posts, the DSS issued a seven-day directive ordering Sowore to delete the content from his social media platforms. After the activist refused to comply, the agency instituted legal action at the Federal High Court.

The DSS asked the court to provide a legal interpretation on whether describing President Tinubu or any individual as a criminal without a prior court conviction amounts to cyberbullying under Nigerian law. The agency argued that the suit was necessary to establish judicial precedent regarding online commentary and defamation.

With the proposed suspension, the Federal High Court will hold off on rendering a decision on the cyberbullying case, effectively putting all legal arguments on hold until the 2027 political cycle concludes.

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