By Our Correspondent
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has described his ongoing prosecution by the Department of State Services DSS as a politically orchestrated trial, moments after a Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail on self recognition.
The court, while ruling on the bail application, cautioned Sowore against making public statements that could incite unrest or undermine national stability. The judge stressed that although Sowore has the constitutional right to express his views, he must avoid remarks that could escalate political tensions or disrupt public order.
Sowore, however, maintained that the charges brought against him stem not from genuine legal concerns but from a deliberate effort to silence political criticism. He argued that the trial was scripted from the top, accusing the DSS of acting as a political tool rather than a neutral security agency. According to him, the prosecution is an attempt to intimidate voices that challenge the governments narrative.
The case originates from an August 2025 social media post in which Sowore allegedly labeled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a criminal while criticizing the administrations handling of corruption. The DSS subsequently filed a five count charge, including cybercrime related offenses and defamation, claiming the post had the potential to incite public unrest.
During his court appearance, Sowore pleaded not guilty, while his legal team questioned the competence and jurisdiction of the case. They argued that the prosecutions approach reflects a troubling trend in which dissenting citizens are targeted under the guise of national security or cybercrime enforcement.
The court has adjourned the matter to January 19 2026 for further hearing. Meanwhile, Sowore has vowed to continue speaking out, insisting that democratic governance must accommodate criticism rather than suppress it.
