DSS To Probe Assault On Sowore By Operatives In Court Premises

The Department of States Service (DSS) has ordered an investigation into the conduct of its operatives after the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, was remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre.

 

On Monday, a Federal High Court In Abuja ordered the remand of Sowore pending the hearing of his application challenging the revocation of his bail.

 

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the DSS spokesperson, Favour Dozie, the secret police acknowledged public outrage over the dramatic scenes that unfolded at the court premises, including Sowore’s confrontation with an official of the Nigerian Correctional Service and an alleged scuffle involving DSS operatives.

 

The agency, however, insisted that it acted professionally throughout the process and claimed that Sowore “curiously opted for a DSS vehicle instead of that of the Correctional Service” after the court proceedings.

 

The statement read, “The Department of State Services (DSS) has noted concerns of some citizens over events at a Federal High Court in Abuja on 22nd June 2026, leading to the remand of Omoyele Sowore in Kuje Prison.

 

 

 

“Of more concern, is the scene depicting Sowore’s altercation with an official of Custodial Center and a seeming scuffle with operatives of the Service.”

 

According to the DSS, despite the controversy surrounding the incident, the Director General of the Service has now ordered an immediate investigation into the conduct of officers involved.

 

“Although at the end of the saga, he curiously opted for a DSS vehicle instead of that of the Correctional Service, the Director General has ordered an immediate investigation into the alleged conduct of Service operatives involved in the incident,” the agency stated.

 

The DSS used the statement to justify its prosecution of Sowore, saying the activist made disparaging comments against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on social media.

 

According to the agency, Sowore had, on August 25, 2025, posted on his X and Facebook pages, referring to Tinubu as a “criminal” while reacting to the President’s trip to Brazil.

 

 

 

The DSS quoted Sowore as writing: “This criminal actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE CORRUPTION in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly.”

 

The agency accused Sowore of “disparaging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and embellishing his statement.”

 

“Rather than resort to arrest, the Service, in a letter dated 4th September, 2025 demanded a retraction within one week.

 

“This is in line with the practice of the current DG-DSS to resolve such issues without use of force, failure to which it may resort to judicial interpretation.”

 

The agency also cited previous cases involving Professor Pat Utomi, media organisations, and SERAP to argue that it has consistently relied on the courts rather than arbitrary arrests.

 

“Specifically, in the case of Prof. Pat Utomi’s Shadow Government, the Service sought a judicial explanation even without any arrest or invitation,” the DSS stated.

 

“The Federal High Court thereafter declared the Shadow Government unconstitutional.”

 

The DSS further recalled controversies surrounding reports alleging that DSS operatives invaded the Lagos State House of Assembly and barricaded the National Assembly complex.

 

 

 

“Also, the false publications on Lagos State House of Assembly invasion by Service operatives and a similar report by Order Paper, alleging a barricade of the National Assembly Complex, the Service demanded a public apology rather than apprehend anyone in both instances.

 

“It is on record that, DSS withdrew all charges immediately after the defaulting media houses made a redress.”

 

The secret police also referenced lawsuits filed by two DSS operatives against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

 

“In the same vein, two Service operatives sought judicial redress and won their cases against SERAP for defamation and libel on their false alarm of an invasion by the said operatives,” the agency stated.

 

“In this case also, the Court delivered judgment in favour of the said operatives. In all these, the Service maintained its hygiene and adherence to rule of law.”

 

The DSS said Sowore is being prosecuted under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

 

“Therefore, in line with SSS Instrument No. 1 of 1999, made pursuant to NSA Act of 1986, the Service filed charges against Sowore for contravening section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Amendment Act, 2024 in a suit FHC/ABJ/CR/481/2025 seeking a judicial interpretation of his right or otherwise to disparage and cyberbully the President,” the statement added.

 

The agency further revealed that Sowore was initially granted bail on self-recognition and claimed the DSS did not oppose the bail application.

 

 

“The public may wish to note that, Sowore was granted bail on self-recognition even without a surety at the commencement of the trial, a position the Service did not oppose and even Sowore applauded the development,” it said.

 

According to the DSS, Sowore’s current detention in Kuje Prison resulted strictly from court decisions and not from any opposition by the agency.

 

“From the foregoing, it is clear the issues that led to his bail revocation and subsequent remand were entirely premised on the court processes, as the Service neither arrested nor opposed his bail.”

 

“DSS therefore assures of sustained priority to professionalism, with emphasis on civility in its operations, even at the face of provocation.”