Sowore , Lawyer Slam DSS Over Demand For Tweet Deletion
The lawyer representing human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has asked the management of X (formerly Twitter) to ignore a request by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) seeking the deletion of his client’s posts critical of President Bola Tinubu.
In a letter dated September 7, 2025, Tope Temokun Chambers described the DSS request as “unlawful, unconstitutional, and without legal foundation,” warning that it would amount to aiding state repression if the platform complied. The letter was addressed to the Legal and Policy Team of X in San Francisco, California.
The DSS had petitioned X over a post made by Sowore on August 26, 2025, where he described President Tinubu as “a criminal” who lied about corruption in Nigeria. According to the secret police, the comment amounted to hate speech, cybercrime, and a threat to national security. The agency also asked X to delete the post and deactivate Sowore’s account.
But Temokun countered that the demand violated both Nigerian and international law. He cited Section 39(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, as well as Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which is part of Nigerian law. He further referenced judicial precedents that have cautioned against government attempts to stifle dissent.
“No administrative agency, including the DSS, has the power to censor citizens’ speech or compel third parties to do so,” the letter stated. “Only a valid order of a competent court of law can justify any restriction on expression. The DSS is not a court of law and cannot arrogate such powers to itself.”
Temokun reminded X of Sowore’s history of persecution in Nigeria, pointing out that the activist has faced multiple arrests, prolonged detentions, and ongoing prosecutions since 2019. He argued that the DSS petition was merely another step in a pattern of political repression and harassment designed to silence a prominent government critic.
The lawyer also linked the move to Sowore’s recent involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protest, noting that the government allegedly placed him on a “no-entry” list at international airports and had repeatedly arraigned him on what he described as trumped-up charges. “It is therefore clear that the present request to X is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of harassment,” he said.
He stressed that the matter carried international implications, as Sowore is a U.S.-based permanent resident. According to him, compliance by X would make the platform complicit in violating both Nigerian and global human rights standards. He warned that Sowore reserves the right to seek redress before competent courts at both national and international levels.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters earlier reported that the DSS had formally written to X Corp, demanding urgent action against Sowore’s verified account. In its letter signed by B. Bamigboye, the agency argued that Sowore’s post violated Nigerian laws, including the Criminal Code, the Cyber Crimes Act 2025, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
The DSS insisted that Sowore’s words could incite unrest among citizens, discredit the president internationally, and pose a grave threat to national security. It warned that failure by X to take down the post could render the platform and its executives criminally liable under Nigerian law.
As the standoff deepens, all eyes will now be on X’s response, which will test not only the company’s stated commitment to free expression but also its ability to withstand pressure from governments seeking to silence critics in the digital space.
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
