The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has renewed its call on the Federal Government to withdraw the charges against African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, as his legal battle with the Department of State Services (DSS) continues.
SERAP, in a social media post, urged the government to “drop bogus charges against Sowore now,” while tagging the United Nations Human Rights Office and UN Special Procedures under the hashtag #StandUp4HumanRights.
The latest intervention comes shortly after Sowore’s case took a new turn at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the DSS indicated that it was prepared to proceed with the prosecution rather than seek the lengthy adjournment that had been reported in the media.
Justice Mohammed Umar subsequently fixed October 2, 2026, for the continuation of Sowore’s defence.
The dispute stems from social media posts published by Sowore in August 2025 in which he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” and criticised the President’s comments on corruption. The DSS later approached the court, seeking a determination on whether such a description could constitute an offence under the Cybercrimes Act.
The prosecution has already closed its case. Sowore’s no-case submission was dismissed, after which the court directed him to open his defence.
At the September 28 hearing, Sowore’s lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, drew the court’s attention to reports that the DSS might seek to suspend the proceedings until after the 2027 presidential election to enable his client to concentrate on his campaign.
DSS counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, however, said he was ready to proceed and questioned the reliance on media reports concerning confidential instructions between a lawyer and his client.
The development effectively keeps the case active as Sowore prepares for the 2027 presidential contest.
SERAP’s latest demand adds a human-rights dimension to the continuing legal dispute. The organisation has repeatedly raised concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression and civic space, while Sowore has maintained that the prosecution is an attempt to punish him for his criticism of the President.
The DSS, on the other hand, has maintained that its case is aimed at obtaining judicial clarification on the legality of publicly describing the President or another individual as a “criminal,” rather than preventing Sowore from participating in political activities.
For now, the court proceedings remain ongoing, with Sowore expected back in court on October 2 to continue his defence.
