Human rights advocate and Nigeria Democratic Congress member, Aisha Yesufu, has criticized the Department of State Services (DSS) for its active role in the prosecution of activist Omoyele Sowore. The agency recently initiated charges against Sowore under the 2024 Cybercrimes Act, citing a social media post where he allegedly labeled President Bola Tinubu a criminal.
Yesufu argued that the security agency has no legitimate role in addressing personal insults directed at the President. She asserted that if President Tinubu believes the characterization is defamatory or untrue, he should pursue legal action as a private citizen rather than utilizing state security resources. She questioned the agency’s priorities, suggesting they should focus on the nation’s pressing security issues and the protection of citizens’ lives and property rather than monitoring online speech.
In response to the public discourse, the DSS maintained that it did not arrest the activist or oppose his bail, emphasizing that his remand was a result of formal court processes. The agency claimed it is seeking a judicial determination regarding the boundaries of free speech and alleged cyberbullying against the President.
