DSS ask Court to pause Sowore’s cyber-bullying case until after 2027 poll

The Department of State Services (DSS) is set to ask the Federal High Court to adjourn its cyber-bullying case against the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, until after the 2027 presidential election.

The move, according to a source close to the legal team, is aimed at allowing Sowore to fully participate in the election campaign without being distracted or hindered by the court proceedings.

The presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027.

The DSS had instituted the suit over posts made by Sowore on his X handle and Facebook page on August 25, 2025, in which he allegedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”

The agency had asked the court to determine whether it was lawful for Sowore or any individual to publicly describe the President as a criminal.

The secret police also directed its counsel to review other cases involving candidates contesting elective positions ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to the source, DSS Director-General Tosin Ajayi met with its private counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, and senior officers in the agency’s legal directorate on August 20, a day after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially commenced campaigns for the 2027 elections.

The meeting reportedly considered the possibility of asking the court to suspend the proceedings against Sowore until after the 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 said.

The source added that Ajayi noted that the case had already been before the court for almost a year and that postponing it for a few more months would not significantly affect the proceedings.

“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.

The DSS had earlier approached the court after Sowore failed to comply with a seven-day ultimatum issued by the agency demanding that he remove the posts.

Rather than arresting or inviting him after the expiration of the ultimatum, the DSS filed the case on September 16, 2025, seeking judicial interpretation of the issue.

The agency had also argued in a September 6, 2025 letter to Meta that its statutory responsibility to protect the President extends beyond physical threats to what it described as psychological attacks.

The DSS said the Sowore case was intended to obtain judicial clarification on whether individuals could arbitrarily label the President or any other person a “criminal.”

The agency had similarly approached the court over Professor Pat Utomi’s proposed “Shadow Government,” seeking judicial interpretation of its legality.

The source said the DSS is expected to formally communicate its position to the Federal High Court from Monday, September 14, when the courts are scheduled to resume normal sittings after the annual judicial vacation.

He added that other cases involving candidates contesting the 2027 elections were also being reviewed by the agency.

When contacted, Kehinde, SAN, confirmed the development and said the planned application for adjournment was consistent with the approach of the current DSS leadership.

He said the move was intended to ensure a level playing field and give all candidates the opportunity to participate fully in the electoral process.

“We will seek the indulgence of the court for the adjournment,” Kehinde said.

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