The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately withdraw the cybercrime charges against journalist, activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
The call followed reports that the DSS had directed its counsel to seek an adjournment of the case against Sowore until after the 2027 presidential election.
SERAP, however, said suspending the prosecution would not address what it described as the fundamental problem surrounding the case, insisting that the charges should be withdrawn entirely.
“We’ve urged the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the DSS to immediately withdraw all bogus charges against journalist and activist Omoyele Sowore and end the continuing harassment and intimidation of him over his peaceful exercise of his human rights,” the organisation said.
The group argued that an adjournment of the case until after the election would leave the charges hanging over Sowore and would not amount to justice.
“The reported decision by the DSS to seek an adjournment of the case until after the 2027 presidential election does not resolve the fundamental problem: the charges should never have been brought in the first place and must now be withdrawn,” SERAP said.
It added that the security agency should not suspend a politically sensitive prosecution for electoral reasons while retaining the charges against the activist.
“The DSS cannot selectively pause a politically sensitive prosecution for electoral convenience while leaving the bogus charges hanging over Sowore. The appropriate response is to withdraw the charges altogether,” the organisation said.
The DSS had reportedly directed its counsel to seek an adjournment of the alleged cybercrime case to enable Sowore participate fully in the 2027 presidential election without the court proceedings becoming a hindrance to his political activities. The case arose from social media posts in which Sowore referred to President Tinubu as a “criminal.”
SERAP said it was troubling that the reported move to suspend the case appeared to be linked to the commencement of election campaigns, arguing that the exercise of fundamental rights should not depend on the electoral calendar.
“The right to participate in public affairs and to criticise government officials cannot depend on the electoral calendar or the discretion of security agencies,” it said.
The organisation described the prosecution as an attempt to use criminal law and judicial processes to punish or intimidate a prominent government critic and political opponent.
“The prosecution of Sowore over his social media comments concerning President Bola Tinubu amounts to an unacceptable use of criminal law and judicial processes to punish, intimidate or silence a prominent critic and political opponent,” SERAP said.
According to the organisation, public officials, including the President, should be subject to public scrutiny and criticism in a democratic society.
“The mere fact that an expression is offensive, harsh, insulting or politically inconvenient does not, by itself, justify criminal prosecution,” the group said.
SERAP also cautioned the Federal Government against what it described as the weaponisation of the Cybercrimes Act, criminal defamation provisions and other laws to suppress peaceful criticism as the country approaches the 2027 general election.
“Suspending the Sowore case until after the election is not enough. The bogus charges should be immediately withdrawn,” the organisation said.
Sowore has also rejected the proposed adjournment and demanded an apology and the withdrawal of the charges, arguing that the DSS should discontinue the prosecution rather than merely suspend it.
