The Department of State Services (DSS) has directed its counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, to seek an adjournment of the cybercrime case against the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, until after the 2027 presidential election.
The case, instituted by the DSS, centres on social media posts allegedly made by Sowore on August 25, 2025, in which he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal”.
The DSS had approached the Federal High Court to determine whether describing the President or any other individual as a “criminal” on social media constituted cyber-bullying.
The service had also given Sowore seven days to remove the posts. Following the expiration of the ultimatum, the DSS approached the court on September 16, 2025, seeking judicial determination of the matter.
A source close to the DSS counsel said the Director-General of the service, Tosin Ajayi, met with the senior lawyer and senior officials of the DSS legal directorate on August 20 to consider seeking an adjournment of the case.
According to the source, the proposed adjournment would enable Sowore to participate fully in the 2027 presidential election following the commencement of political campaigns.
“The DSS boss told the lawyers that, since the matter had been in court for nearly a year, suspending it for another few months would not make much difference,” the source said.
The source added that the DSS was also reviewing other cases involving candidates contesting elective positions ahead of the 2027 elections.
The proposed position is expected to be formally communicated to the Federal High Court from September 14, 2026, when the court is scheduled to resume normal sittings after its annual judicial vacation.
When contacted, Kehinde confirmed that the DSS would seek the court’s indulgence for an adjournment.
“We will seek the indulgence of the court for the adjournment,” he said.
The DSS had earlier said the case was intended to obtain judicial interpretation on the propriety of describing President Tinubu or any other individual as a criminal on social media.
