{
  "id": 4372738,
  "title": "DSS to suspend Sowore cybercrime case till after 2027 election",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/dss-to-suspend-sowore-cybercrime-case-till-after-2027-election",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-30T07:54:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/dss-to-suspend-sowore-cybercrime-case-till-after-2027-election/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Department of State Services (DSS) has instructed its private counsel to temporarily suspend the cybercrime case against African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore until after the 2027 presidential election. This decision came after a meeting on August 20 between DSS Director-General Tosin Ajayi, a senior lawyer, and the agency's legal directorate.\n\nAjayi reportedly conveyed to the lawyers that with the start of presidential campaigns, it would be equitable to halt the court proceedings to ensure Sowore can fully participate in the upcoming elections without impediment. He also mentioned that since the case had been in court for nearly a year, pausing it for an additional four months would not significantly impact the outcome.\n\nThe DSS is anticipated to formally notify the Federal High Court of this suspension on September 14, 2026, when the court resumes regular sessions following the annual judicial vacation. If granted, the suspension would effectively keep the case on hold during the presidential campaign and the 2027 election period.\n\nSowore had posted these allegations on his X and Facebook accounts on August 25, 2025. In response, the DSS granted him seven days to remove the posts, which he ultimately declined to do. The agency had taken the matter to the Federal High Court to ascertain if Sowore's social media posts, which referred to President Bola Tinubu as a \"criminal,\" constituted cyberbullying as it was in question whether describing an individual as a criminal without a court ruling was lawful.",
  "summary": "The DSS has directed the suspension of Omoyele Sowore’s alleged cybercrime case until after the 2027 presidential election, allowing him to participate ful Read More: https://punchng.com/dss-to-suspend-sowore-cybercrime-case-till-after-2027-election/",
  "key_points": [
    "DSS suspends Sowore's cybercrime case until after 2027 election.",
    "DSS Director-General Tosin Ajayi halted proceedings to allow Sowore's election participation.",
    "Suspension to take effect September 14, 2026 following court resumption."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The DSS's decision to suspend the cybercrime case against Sowore until after the 2027 election allows him to participate in the presidential campaign without court distractions, benefiting his political ambitions.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "DSS to suspend Sowore cybercrime case till after 2027 election",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/dss-to-suspend-sowore-cybercrime-case-till-after-2027-election-4376755",
        "published": "2026-08-30T08:18:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}