The Department of State Services (DSS) has directed its private counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), to take steps to suspend the alleged cyberbullying case against African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore until after the 2027 presidential election.
The decision followed a meeting on August 20 between DSS Director-General Tosin Ajayi, the senior lawyer and top officials of the agency’s legal directorate, according to a source close to the DSS counsel.
The meeting considered pausing the case to allow Sowore, who is expected to contest the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027, to fully participate in the electoral process without hindrance.
“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 pause the court case in order to enable Sowore fully participate in the upcoming elections without let or hindrance,” the source said.
The DSS is expected to formally communicate its decision to the Federal High Court from September 14, 2026, when the court resumes normal sittings after the annual judicial vacation.
If granted, the suspension would keep the case in abeyance during the presidential campaign and the 2027 election period.
The case stems from posts Sowore made on his X handle and Facebook page on August 25, 2025, in which he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”
The DSS had given him seven days to delete the posts, but he declined. The agency then approached the Federal High Court seeking a judicial determination on whether the posts amounted to cyberbullying under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.