The Department of State Services (DSS) has ordered an investigation into the conduct of its operatives following an incident involving activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, after his remand by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The development comes after a video circulated on social media showing armed DSS operatives forcefully escorting Sowore from the court premises on Monday, sparking widespread criticism and renewed scrutiny of the conduct of security agencies.
Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court had earlier ordered Sowore’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application challenging the revocation of his bail.
The court made the order after dismissing an application by the activist seeking the judge’s recusal from the case on grounds of alleged bias.
Sowore’s bail was revoked on 16 June after he failed to appear in court, prompting the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.
The DSS is prosecuting the former presidential candidate on a two-count charge relating to a social media post in which he allegedly described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “a criminal” on his X and Facebook accounts.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the agency’s spokesperson, Favour Dozie, said the Director-General of the DSS had directed an immediate investigation into the conduct of personnel involved in the incident.
“The Department of State Services (DSS) has noted concerns of some citizens over events at a Federal High Court in Abuja on 22 June 2026, leading to the remand of Omoyele Sowore in Kuje Prison,” the statement said.
“Of more concern is the scene depicting Sowore’s altercation with an official of the Custodial Centre and a seeming scuffle with operatives of the Service.”
Dozie noted that, following the incident, Sowore allegedly chose to enter a DSS vehicle rather than one provided by the Nigerian Correctional Service.
“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 statement added.
The DSS also sought to clarify its role in the legal proceedings, stressing that it did not oppose Sowore’s bail application and that the decision to revoke the activist’s bail was made solely by the court.
According to the agency, the prosecution stems from comments allegedly made by Sowore on social media platforms concerning President Tinubu.
Dozie disclosed that the DSS had previously written to the activist on 4 September 2025, requesting that he retract the remarks within one week.
The spokesperson stated that when the request was not complied with, the agency proceeded to file charges in court to obtain judicial clarification regarding what it described as Sowore’s “right or otherwise to disparage and cyberbully the President”.
The incident has generated significant public debate, with civil society organisations and human rights advocates calling for transparency in the handling of the case and the conduct of security personnel.
Sowore, a prominent activist and former presidential candidate, has remained a vocal critic of successive governments and has frequently challenged public officials and institutions through advocacy campaigns and social media commentary.
The outcome of the DSS investigation, as well as the ongoing court proceedings, is expected to attract considerable public attention amid broader discussions about free speech, accountability and the conduct of law enforcement agencies in Nigeria.
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