Sowore Lawyer Battles DSS Over Attempt To Silence Activist Online

Human rights lawyer Tope Temokun has warned the Department of State Services (DSS) against what he described as an unlawful attempt to gag his client, activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, on social media.

Temokun said Sowore recently received a notification from X, formerly known as Twitter, that the DSS had written to the platform requesting the removal of one of his posts about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He argued that the agency has no legal authority to censor citizens or pressure private platforms into doing so, insisting that only a court of law can order such action.

The lawyer described the move as an abuse of power and a threat to democracy, pointing out that freedom of expression is guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. He cautioned that the attempt to silence Sowore could set a dangerous precedent for journalists, activists, and ordinary Nigerians who dare to question government.

He also said that the DSS had acted beyond its mandate, turning itself into a censorship bureau rather than a security agency. According to him, the state must not be allowed to use its power to stifle dissent, as doing so erodes democratic values.

Temokun vowed to challenge the DSS in court if it continues with its attempt to curtail Sowore’s voice online, stressing that Nigerians must remain vigilant in defending their constitutional rights. He maintained that free speech is not a privilege granted by government but a right that must be protected at all times.

The controversy follows revelations that the DSS had formally petitioned X Corp in the United States, demanding the suspension of Sowore’s account and the deletion of a post in which he criticised the president’s comments during a trip to Brazil. The DSS claimed the statement amounted to hate speech, cybercrime, and a threat to national security, citing the Criminal Code Act, Cyber Crimes Act, and Terrorism Prevention Act.

The agency argued that Sowore’s post could provoke unrest among supporters of the president and damage Nigeria’s image globally. It warned X that failure to comply with its request within 24 hours could attract sweeping consequences for both the platform and the activist.

The development has sparked debate on the balance between national security and civil liberties, with many awaiting the outcome of a possible legal showdown between Sowore’s camp and the DSS.