DSS sues Sowore, Meta, X over posts criticising Tinubu

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has taken activist Omoyele Sowore and tech giants Meta and X Corp to court, accusing them of spreading posts it described as “defamatory and destabilizing” against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The five-count charge, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Justice, raises fresh questions about online speech, digital accountability, and the extent of liability for global social media companies hosting user content in Nigeria.

Represented by Director of Public Prosecutions M.B. Abubakar, along with DSS lawyers M.E. Ernest, U.B. Bulla, Dr. C.S. Eze, and E.G. Orubor, the case is expected to test the balance between national security concerns and freedom of expression in the country’s digital space.

This development follows weeks of back-and-forth between the DSS and the former presidential candidate.

The agency had earlier written to X Corp requesting the suspension of Sowore’s handle and removal of several posts which accused President Tinubu of criminality and questioned his legitimacy.

When Sowore refused to comply, the DSS issued a formal ultimatum, describing the posts as “malicious, defamatory, and capable of undermining national security.”

Reacting to the lawsuit, Sowore took to his X handle to confirm the charges and to announce his readiness to appear in court.

“The State Security Service, alias @OfficialDSSNG, today filed a 5-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja against @X (formerly Twitter), @facebook, and myself.

“They claimed that because I called @officialABAT a criminal, I have somehow committed a set of ‘novel’ offences they invented and spread across five counts,” he posted.

“It’s hard to believe there’s anyone sensible left in these offices that should be making Nigeria work. Regardless, I will be present whenever this case is assigned for trial. #RevolutionNow.”

Sowore’s post immediately trended across multiple platforms, sparking a heated debate about free speech, presidential criticism, and government accountability.

The case could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s regulation of global tech platforms. By seeking a court order to compel Meta and X to remove the disputed content and tighten compliance with local cyber laws, the Federal Government signals its intent to enforce stronger oversight of online spaces.

Analysts say the outcome may redefine the relationship between Nigeria and Big Tech, raising questions about content moderation, digital sovereignty, and the balance between national security and free speech.