The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a one-week ultimatum to Omoyele Sowore, a prominent Nigerian activist and journalist, demanding that he retract a social media post criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The post in question accused the President of lying about corruption in Nigeria, sparking a heated debate about free speech and the limits of government intervention.
The DSS's Demands
The DSS has demanded that Sowore:
- *Retract the post*: Sowore must issue a public retraction on the same platform where he made the post.
- *Publish apologies*: He must publish apologies in at least two national newspapers and two television stations.
- *Send a representation*: Sowore must formally send a representation to the DSS headquarters in Abuja or via email.
Legal Implications
Sowore's lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has described the DSS's demands as "unlawful, unconstitutional, and a threat to the right to freedom of expression". Effiong argues that only the aggrieved party (in this case, President Tinubu) can file a complaint for defamation, and that the DSS's actions constitute an overreach of its authority ¹.
Free Speech Concerns
The case has sparked concerns about the erosion of free speech in Nigeria, with many arguing that the government's actions are a threat to democracy. Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has pointed out that the cyber law cited by the DSS has been repealed, and that the agency's actions are an embarrassment to the country and a violation of fundamental rights ¹ ².
Outcome and Implications
The outcome of this showdown will be closely watched, as it has significant implications for Nigeria's commitment to protecting free speech and curbing the weaponization of state security apparatus against dissent. If the DSS's demands are met, it could set a precedent for government censorship and intimidation of critics, undermining the country's democratic institutions ¹.
