Omoyele Sowore Remanded in Kuje Prison; DSS Orders Probe into Court Operatives

The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided by Justice Mohammed Umar, ordered the remand of activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore to the Kuje Correctional Centre after revoking his bail for failing to appear in court. The court dismissed Sowore’s request for the judge’s recusal and fixed 30 June for a ruling on his application to restore bail.

Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024 for a 2025 social‑media post that described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.” After the remand order, video footage showed DSS operatives dragging Sowore through the courtroom, sparking public outrage. DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations, Favour Dozie, said, “The Department of State Services has noted concerns of some citizens … and has ordered an immediate investigation into the alleged conduct of Service operatives involved in the incident.”

NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi condemned the action, calling it “a dangerous regression for democracy” and warning that the use of state institutions to silence dissent threatens Nigeria’s democratic space.