The Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) has ordered an investigation into the alleged conduct of Service operatives involved in an incident at the Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday.
In a video shared across social media platforms on Tuesday, the armed DSS officials are seen in a scuffle with Omoyele Soworewho they forcefully took out of the court building, while blocking his supporters with their guns.
Reacting to public outcry that followed the incident, Favour Dozie, Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications of the Service, said the DSS noted the events with concerns, hence the need to investigate.
Dozie in a statement, noted however that there was a need to set the records straight, as Sowore “curiously opted for a DSS vehicle instead of that of the Correctional Service”, after an altercation with officials of the Correctional Service.
Dozie went back to the genesis of the court case involving Sowore, and why the DSS was prosecuting him, stating, “On 25th August 2025, Omoyele Sowore, made a post on his personal X and Facebook handles, wherein he stated “this criminal actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE CORRUPTION in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly.” Thus, disparaging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and embelishing his statement. Rather than resort to arrest, the Service, in a letter dated 4th September, 2025 demanded a retraction within one week. 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.”
It made reference to a previous and similar matter, noting “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. 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.
“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. 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.
“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 public may wish to note that, Sowore was granted bail on self-recognition even without a surety at the commemcement of the trial, a position the Service did not oppose and even Sowore applauded the development.
“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.”
(Ripples)