The Department of State Services has ordered an immediate investigation into the conduct of operatives involved in a scuffle with activist Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court, Abuja on 22 June 2026, while insisting that his remand in Kuje Prison was based on a court order, not a DSS arrest.
—What happened in court—
Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court Abuja on Monday 22 June 2026 dismissed Sowore’s motion seeking the judge’s recusal over alleged bias, then ordered his immediate remand at Kuje Correctional Centre pending 24 June 2026 when his application for a stay of execution will be heard.
The remand followed the revocation of Sowore’s self-recognition bail on 16 June 2026 after he failed to appear for the continuation of his trial. d258
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After the ruling, videos showed DSS operatives dragging Sowore away on the court premises while supporters tried to stop them. Sowore later appeared before Nigerian Correctional Service officials and was to have been conveyed to Kuje in a “Black Maria” prison van, but he reportedly objected and said he preferred a DSS vehicle/Hilux.
The DSS statement said he “curiously opted for a DSS vehicle instead of that of the Correctional Service.”
—DSS response—
In a statement signed Tuesday by Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the Service said the Director-General was “concerned about the scene depicting Sowore’s altercation with an official of Custodial Center and a seeming scuffle with operatives of the Service” and had ordered a probe into the conduct of the operatives involved.
The DSS stressed that Sowore’s remand was “entirely premised on court processes”. It said it filed charges in suit FHC/ABJ/CR/481/2025 for alleged contravention of Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024, over an X and Facebook post on 25 August 2025 where Sowore called President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a “criminal”.
The Service said it first wrote Sowore on 4 September 2025 demanding a retraction within one week, citing the DG’s preference for resolving such issues without force. It added that it did not oppose Sowore’s initial bail on self-recognition and “maintained its hygiene and adherence to rule of law” in past cases involving Prof. Pat Utomi, media houses, and SERAP.
—Charges & next date—
The federal government’s case rests on Section 24 of the amended Cybercrimes Act, 2024, accusing Sowore of cyberstalking and criminal defamation. Sowore has pleaded not guilty and opted to represent himself after his lawyers withdrew citing “humiliation” in court.
The matter resumes Wednesday 24 June 2026 for hearing of Sowore’s application seeking a stay of the bail revocation.
■ The full text of the statement reads:
RE: ‘REMAND’ OF OMOYELE SOWORE
The Department of State Services (DSS) has noted concerns of some citizens over events at a Federal High Court in Abuja on 22nd June 2026, leading to the remand of Omoyele Sowore in Kuje Prison. Of more concern, is the scene depicting Sowore’s altercation with an official of Custodial Center and a seeming scuffle with operatives of the 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. Notwithstanding, it is expedient to set the records straight.
On 25th August 2025, Omoyele Sowore, made a post on his personal X and Facebook handles, wherein he stated “this criminal actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE CORRUPTION in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly.” Thus, disparaging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and embelishing his statement. Rather than resort to arrest, the Service, in a letter dated 4th September, 2025 demanded a retraction within one week. This is in line with the practice of the current DG-DSS to resolve such issues without use of force, failure to which it may resort to judicial interpretation.
Specifically, in the case of Prof. Pat Utomi’s Shadow Government, the Service sought a judicial explanation even without any arrest or invitation. The Federal High Court thereafter declared the Shadow Government unconstitutional. Also, the false publications on Lagos State House of Assembly invasion by Service operatives and a similar report by Order Paper, alleging a barricade of the National Assembly Complex, the Service demanded a public apology rather than apprehend anyone in both instances. It is on record that, DSS withdrew all charges immediately after the defaulting media houses made a redress.
In the same vein, two Service operatives sought judicial redress and won their cases against SERAP for defamation and libel on their false alarm of an invasion by the said operatives. In this case also, the Court delivered judgment in favour of the said operatives. In all these, the Service maintained its hygiene and adherence to rule of law.
Therefore, in line with SSS Instrument No. 1 of 1999, made pursuant to NSA Act of 1986, the Service filed charges against Sowore for contravening section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Amendment Act, 2024 in a suit FHC/ABJ/CR/481/2025 seeking a judicial interpretation of his right or otherwise to disparage and cyberbully the President. The public may wish to note that, Sowore was granted bail on self-recognition even without a surety at the commemcement of the trial, a position the Service did not oppose and even Sowore applauded the development.
From the foregoing, it is clear the issues that led to his bail revocation and subsequent remand were entirely premised on the court processes, as the Service neither arrested nor opposed his bail. DSS therefore assures of sustained priority to professionalism, with emphasis on civility in its operations, even at the face of provocation.
Favour Dozie
Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications
National Headquarters, State Services.
Abuja
June 23, 2026
