Alleged Cybercrime: DSS Halts Sowore’s Prosecution to Allow Participation in 2027 Campaign

The Department of State Service (DSS) has suspended the prosecution of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore over allegations of cyber-bullying, in order to allow him to fully participate in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027. The decision was made after the DSS approached a Federal High Court in Abuja to determine if it was appropriate for Sowore to refer to President Bola Tinubu as a "criminal."

The secret police argued that the case involved seeking judicial interpretation on the propriety of using such derogatory language against the president. The DSS stated that its role includes protecting the president not only from physical threats but also from psychological attacks. Following Sowore's refusal to remove his posts criticizing Tinubu, the DSS gave him seven days to do so, but when the deadline passed without compliance, the agency approached the court for judicial intervention.

Sowore's matter has been ongoing for nearly a year, and the DSS decided to pause the case to ensure that the activist could fully engage in the ongoing election campaign without any hindrance.