The Department of State Services (DSS) has clarified that it did not remand activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore to Kuje Custodial Centre, insisting that his detention resulted entirely from court proceedings. In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 24, the agency sought to address public confusion over how Sowore ended up in prison after dramatic scenes at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
DSS orders investigation into court incident
The DSS disclosed that its Director-General, Adeola Ajayi, has ordered an investigation into the conduct of operatives captured in videos from the Federal High Court on June 22. The agency acknowledged public concerns over footage showing Sowore in an altercation with an official of the Nigerian Correctional Service and an apparent scuffle involving DSS personnel.
According to the statement signed by Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications at the DSS National Headquarters, Favour Dozie, the agency noted that Sowore eventually chose to enter a DSS vehicle rather than one belonging to the Nigerian Correctional Service after the incident. Nevertheless, an immediate investigation has been ordered into the alleged conduct of personnel involved.
Court processes led to remand, says DSS
“From the foregoing, it is clear that the issues which led to the revocation of his bail and his subsequent remand arose entirely from court processes, as the Service neither arrested him nor opposed his bail application,” the statement read. The DSS emphasized that its role was limited to court-ordered actions.
Explaining the background, the DSS said the case dates back to August 25, 2025, when Sowore made social media posts about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following remarks attributed to the president during a visit to Brazil. “Rather than resort to arrest, the Service, in a letter dated 4th September 2025, demanded a retraction within one week,” it stated.
DSS prefers dialogue and legal channels
The agency said the decision to seek a retraction reflected the approach of the current Director-General, who prefers to resolve disputes through dialogue or the courts before considering more coercive measures. On the legal basis for the prosecution, the DSS said it filed charges under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CR/481/2025. The suit was filed to allow the court to determine whether Sowore’s comments about the president amounted to conduct prohibited under the law.
To support its claim that it routinely pursues disputes through legal channels, the DSS cited previous cases, including litigation over Prof. Pat Utomi’s Shadow Government initiative. “Specifically, in the case of Prof. Pat Utomi’s Shadow Government, the Service sought judicial clarification without making any arrest or issuing any invitation. The Federal High Court subsequently declared the Shadow Government unconstitutional,” the statement added.
Other cases resolved without arrests
The agency also referenced controversies surrounding reports alleging invasions of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the National Assembly Complex by DSS operatives. In both instances, it said it sought public apologies rather than arrests and later withdrew charges after corrections were issued.
