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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

DSS orders probe into court scuffle after Sowore’s remand order

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The Department of State Services (DSS) has ordered an investigation into an alleged scuffle involving its operatives and supporters of activist Omoyele Sowore.
  • Sowore was remanded in Kuje Prison on June 22, 2026, following a social media post criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
  • The DSS stated it initially sought a retraction for Sowore's post before resorting to legal interpretation, citing past instances of similar approaches.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has launched an investigation into a public disturbance at the Federal High Court in Abuja on June 22, 2026, which resulted in the remand of activist Omoyele Sowore.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has noted concerns of some citizens over events at a Federal High Court in Abuja on 22nd June 2026, leading to the remand of Omoyele Sowore in Kuje Prison.

— Favour DozieStatement from the DSS Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, regarding the incident.

Viral videos showed a tense confrontation between DSS operatives and Sowore's supporters following the court's decision to hold him in Kuje Prison until June 24, 2026. The agency's Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, confirmed the investigation into the alleged conduct of DSS operatives involved in the incident.

Although at the end of the saga, he curiously opted for a DSS vehicle instead of that of the Correctional Service, the Director General has ordered an immediate investigation into the alleged conduct of Service operatives involved in the incident.

— Favour DozieStatement from the DSS Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, detailing the agency's response to the scuffle.

The DSS statement aimed to "set the records straight" regarding the events leading to Sowore's remand. According to the agency, Sowore made a disparaging social media post about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on August 25, 2025. The DSS claimed it initially sent a letter demanding a retraction within a week, adhering to a policy of resolving such issues without force.

On 25th August 2025, Omoyele Sowore, made a post on his personal X and Facebook handles, wherein he stated ‘this criminal actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE CORRUPTION in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly.’ Thus, disparaging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and embellishing his statement.

— DSS StatementThe DSS explaining the basis for their action against Sowore.

The agency cited previous cases, including one involving "Prof. Pat Utomi’s Shadow Government," where it sought judicial interpretation instead of immediate arrest. The DSS also referenced past media disputes, such as reports of a Lagos State House of Assembly invasion by its operatives, to illustrate its approach.

Rather than resort to arrest, the Service, in a letter dated 4th September, 2025 demanded a retraction within one week. This is in line with the practice of the current DG-DSS to resolve such issues without use of force, failure to which it may resort to judicial interpretation.

— DSS StatementThe DSS detailing its initial approach to Sowore's social media post.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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