DSS files five-count charge against Sowore, Twitter, Facebook

Abdullateef Fowewe

The State Security Service (DSS) has filed a five-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja against activist Omoyele Sowore, Twitter, and Facebook.

Sowore revealed the development on Tuesday in a post on X, stating, “The State Security Service, alias @OfficialDSSNG today filed a 5-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja against ‘@X’ (formerly @Twitter), @facebook, and myself.”

The charges reportedly stem from Sowore calling President Bola Tinubu “a criminal,” which the DSS claims is “hate speech” and threatens Nigeria’s national security.

Sowore expressed disbelief at the situation, writing, “It’s hard to believe there’s anyone sensible left in these offices that should be making Nigeria work.”

Despite the charges, Sowore affirmed his commitment to face the case, saying, “I will be present whenever this case is assigned for trial. #RevolutionNow.”

DSS formally demanded that Meta (Facebook) and X immediately deactivate Omoyele Sowore’s account following a post perceived to disparage President Tinubu, Dailyeconomy reports on September 8.

The DSS letter accused Sowore of spreading “misleading information” and engaging in “hate speech” that threatens Nigeria’s national security.

In the letter addressed to Meta’s CEO, the DSS cited Sowore’s August 26 statement:
“This criminal @ official ABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”