Outrage as DSS Takes Sowore Into Custody After Court Remand Order
There was outrage on Monday after operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) took human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, into custody following a Federal High Court order remanding him at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Justice Mohammed Umar had revoked Sowore’s bail and directed that he be remanded at the correctional facility pending the hearing of his application for stay of execution of the court’s order.
The court also dismissed an application seeking the judge’s recusal and adjourned the matter to June 24, 2026, for hearing of the stay application.
However, shortly after proceedings, videos circulating on social media showed DSS operatives holding Sowore by the waist and forcefully dragging him away, while others blocked his supporters from gaining access.
The development has sparked outrage and controversy, with some human rights groups and civil society organisations questioning the necessity of the DSS action, arguing that the court had already handed Sowore over to the custody of the correctional service.
According to the groups, the enforcement action appeared “excessive and unnecessary,” raising concerns about what they described as possible abuse of power and intimidation of opposition voices. They questioned whether there was a “sinister motive” behind the manner of his removal from the courtroom.
Some critics have also pointed fingers at DSS Director-General Tosin Ajayi, alleging political bias and increasing executive interference in the handling of the matter.
Sowore’s legal team also argued that there was no justification for what they described as his “forceful extraction” by DSS operatives, insisting that the court had already ordered his remand through the correctional service, making the additional security intervention unnecessary.
The defence maintained that the bail revocation was linked to Sowore’s failure to appear in court on a previous date, which they said was due to his engagement with his new lead counsel, Olumide-Fusika, SAN, who had formally informed the court of the development.
The case stems from allegations by the Department of State Services that Sowore made false and defamatory statements against President Bola Tinubu, including describing him as a “criminal” in posts shared on X and Facebook.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
