The Department of State Services (DSS) has ordered an investigation into the conduct of its operatives following the remand of Omoyele Sowore, activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC).
On Monday, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the remand of Sowore at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application challenging the revocation of his bail.
Mohammed Umar, the presiding judge, made the order after dismissing an application by Sowore seeking the judge’s recusal from the case on grounds of alleged bias.
On June 16, the court revoked the bail granted to Sowore and issued an arrest warrant following the activist’s absence from court.
In a video posted on social media on Monday, some armed DSS officials were seen forcibly dragging Sowore out of the hallway at the end of the court proceedings.
The video sparked criticism, once again placing the conduct of security operatives under scrutiny.
The DSS is prosecuting Sowore on a two-count charge over a social media post in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal” on his X and Facebook accounts.
In a statement released on Tuesday, DSS spokesperson Favour Dozie said that after the incident, Sowore “curiously opted for a DSS vehicle instead of that of the Correctional Service”.
Dozie said the DSS did not oppose Sowore’s bail in court, adding that the revocation was entirely at the court’s discretion.
“The Department of State Services (DSS) has noted concerns expressed by some citizens over events at a Federal High Court in Abuja on June 22, 2026, which led to the remand of Omoyele Sowore in Kuje Prison,” the statement reads.
“Of more concern is the scene depicting Sowore’s altercation with an official of the Custodial Centre and a seeming scuffle with operatives of the Service.
“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. Notwithstanding, it is expedient to set the record straight.”
Dozie also explained why the agency is prosecuting Sowore over his comments about Tinubu.
The DSS spokesperson said the agency asked Sowore to retract his remarks within one week in a letter dated September 4, 2025.
According to Dozie, charges were subsequently filed against Sowore to seek “judicial interpretation of his right or otherwise to disparage and cyberbully the president”.
