DSS Sues Sowore, X, Meta Over Alleged Defamatory Posts Against Tinubu
The charges accuse Sowore of posting defamatory content on August 25 and 26, labeling President Bola Tinubu a “criminal”
The Department of State Services (DSS) has launched a legal offensive against human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and social media giants X Corp and Meta Inc., filing a five-count criminal charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The charges, filed on September 16, 2025, accuse Sowore of posting defamatory content on August 25 and 26, labeling President Bola Tinubu a “criminal” and alleging he lied about tackling corruption during a state visit to Brazil. The DSS claims these posts, shared on X and Facebook, violated Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Criminal Code Act by spreading false information and inciting public disorder. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, includes screenshots of the posts and DSS letters demanding their removal as evidence, though no court date or judge has been assigned yet.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate and publisher of Sahara Reporters, has faced repeated clashes with Nigerian authorities for his outspoken activism. The DSS had previously sent letters to X and Meta on September 7, urging the platforms to delete Sowore’s posts or face “far-reaching measures.” Sowore refused to comply, and X reportedly contacted him about the request but took no action. The inclusion of global tech platforms in the lawsuit marks a significant escalation in Nigeria’s efforts to regulate online speech, reminiscent of the 2021 Twitter ban under former President Muhammadu Buhari. Legal experts note that the charges test the boundaries of free expression and platform liability in Nigeria’s evolving digital landscape.
In response, Sowore has taken a defiant stance, confirming the charges on Facebook and describing them as “novel offences” invented to silence dissent. He has vowed to fight the case in court, refusing to remove the posts. Concurrently, Sowore’s lawyer, Tope Temokun, filed a separate suit challenging the DSS’s actions as unconstitutional censorship, seeking a court order to prevent X and Meta from complying with the agency’s demands. Public reactions on X reflect a polarized divide, with some users defending Sowore’s right to free speech and others criticizing the DSS for what they see as an attempt to suppress criticism of the Tinubu administration. The controversy has amplified the reach of Sowore’s original posts, with some users humorously noting the DSS’s role in boosting their visibility.
The lawsuit underscores broader tensions between Nigeria’s government and digital platforms, raising questions about the balance between national security and freedom of expression. As the case awaits a court hearing, it could set a precedent for how Nigeria navigates online dissent and the responsibilities of global tech companies operating within its borders. Neither X nor Meta has issued a public statement on the matter as of September 16, 2025, leaving observers watching closely for their next moves in this high-stakes legal battle.
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