2027: DSS Suspends Sowore’s Cybercrime Case

Ahead of 2027 general elections, the Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly suspended the prosecution of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over alleged cyber-bullying until after the 2027 general elections.

The decision followed a meeting between the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Ajayi, senior counsel handling the matter, Akinolu Kehinde, and officials of the agency’s Legal Directorate on August 20, according to a source close to the legal team.

The source said the meeting considered the need to pause the case to enable Sowore to participate fully in the 2027 presidential election without legal proceedings becoming a hindrance.

The DSS had instituted the case at the Federal High Court in September 2025 following Sowore’s social media posts in which he referred to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “criminal.”

The agency had sought the court’s interpretation on whether describing the President or any individual as a criminal on social media constituted an offence.

Following the posts, the DSS reportedly directed Sowore to remove them within seven days. After he declined, the agency approached the court for adjudication.

The source said the DSS leadership noted that the matter had already been before the court for almost a year and that pausing proceedings for a few additional months would not materially affect the case.

The agency is expected to formally notify the Federal High Court of the decision when the court resumes from its annual judicial vacation on September 14, 2026.

The development comes shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lifted restrictions on presidential campaigns for the 2027 election, allowing candidates, including Sowore, to intensify their political activities.