Sowore: SERAP, lawyer demand DSS withdraw charges

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, along with lawyer Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, representing presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, have urged the Department of State Services to withdraw criminal charges against the activist or move the case to the Attorney-General of the Federation. This demand was made on Monday in response to the DSS's announcement to suspend prosecution of Sowore until after the 2027 presidential election. The DSS Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, disclosed this on Sunday.

SERAP, through its Deputy Director, expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to adjourn the case. They emphasized the fundamental issue with the prosecution and urged Tinubu and the DSS to immediately withdraw all charges against Sowore. SERAP argues that the right to criticize government officials should not depend on the electoral calendar or security agency discretion.

They claim the prosecution of Sowore for his social media comments about Tinubu is an unacceptable misuse of criminal law and judicial processes to target a critic and political opponent.

The organization also warned against using laws like the Cybercrimes Act and criminal defamation provisions to suppress peaceful criticism, particularly ahead of the 2027 elections. They stated that suspending Sowore's case until after the election is insufficient and that the charges should be withdrawn immediately. They pointed out the chilling effect of continued prosecution on critics, warning that it sends a dangerous message about the consequences of criticizing government officials in the country.

Olumide-Fusika suggested two options for the DSS: either withdraw the case entirely or transfer it to the AGF for prosecution. He emphasized that, as an intelligence agency, the DSS should not appear partisan or biased towards any government or politician. He also criticized the DSS for announcing the suspension through a press statement instead of communicating with the defense counsel, which he believed is the proper procedure.