SSS Explains Move To Suspend Sowore Trial As Activist Demands Apology

The State Security Service has explained why it wants Omoyele Sowore’s cyberstalking trial paused until after the 2027 election, while the activist is demanding an apology and a withdrawal of the charge.

The agency’s counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, told Premium Times that the request was linked to Nigeria’s obligations under international conventions and Sowore’s planned participation in the election. The case is before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Sowore, who ran on the African Action Congress platform, is being prosecuted over social media posts in which he described President Bola Tinubu as a criminal. NaijaTrend earlier reported here that the DSS had moved to pause the case until after the 2027 presidential election.

Channels Television reported that Sowore rejected the agency’s approach and asked the DSS to withdraw the charge and apologise to him. The outlet said he accused the security agency of wrongly putting him through trial.

The new explanation gives the court dispute a sharper political angle: the SSS says the pause would allow election activity to continue, while Sowore is treating the case as one that should not have been filed in the first place.

Sources: Premium Times, Channels Television