A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday remanded Paul Oweleke in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged cybercrime offences linked to social media broadcasts that allegedly called for the removal of President Bola Tinubu from office.
Oweleke was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on alleged incitement and the use of a computer system to disseminate content considered prejudicial to national security and constitutional governance.
According to the DSS, Oweleke published posts on his online platform, Oweleke TV, urging the Nigerian military to remove Tinubu from office in a manner similar to military takeovers witnessed in some West African countries.
The agency alleged that the broadcasts were capable of inciting public disorder, promoting disaffection against the government, and undermining Nigeria’s democratic system.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following his plea, counsel for the DSS asked the court to remand Oweleke pending the commencement of trial.
However, defence counsel informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution.
Justice Akintoye Aluko subsequently adjourned the matter to June 16 for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant remain in DSS custody pending its determination.
The development comes about two months after the federal government arraigned six suspects over allegations of plotting to overthrow the Tinubu administration.
