The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly dropped its plan to seek a suspension of the trial of activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore until after the 2027 general election, sources familiar with the matter said.
The reversal comes about a month after the DSS reportedly directed its lead prosecutor, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, to seek an adjournment until after the presidential poll. Sources say the agency’s leadership has now told Kehinde to press ahead with the prosecution, citing displeasure over Sowore’s refusal to tone down his criticism of President Bola Tinubu.
Vanguard reported that DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi met Kehinde and legal directorate officials on August 20. He reportedly said it would be “fair” to pause the case so Sowore could campaign “without let or hindrance.” The proposal followed the start of the 2027 campaign period on August 19. Sowore rejected the idea, insisting the DSS could not simply suspend a case it had brought. He demanded that the charges be withdrawn, an apology issued and his seized devices returned.
Sowore appeared at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, a day after returning from the United States. His lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, learnt from the prosecution that the DSS would no longer seek a lengthy adjournment. Justice Mohammed Umar was not sitting when parties arrived, and they were told to return later on Monday or on Tuesday. When the suspension plan first emerged, Sowore called it a victory for resistance on X. He said the DSS had been forced to “eat humble pie.” He also demanded that the agency pay ₦3 million in court-imposed fines and return phones and a drone seized from his assistant, Zainab Sodiq.
The charges stem from social media posts in which Sowore called Tinubu a “criminal.” He has pleaded not guilty. The prosecution is reportedly proceeding under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
The trial has been marked by friction. At the August 3 sitting, Kehinde accused the defence of “dilatory tactics,” while Olumide-Fusika accused him of behaving like a “persecutor.” Justice Umar warned both lawyers of possible disciplinary referral. A dispute over subpoenaing Ajayi as a defence witness was also resolved after the Attorney-General, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, intervened, and another DSS official will testify instead. With the DSS now reportedly committed to prosecution, the case will continue as Sowore campaigns as AAC’s presidential candidate and criticises the Tinubu administration.
