The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday distanced itself from the remand of activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore at Kuje Custodial Centre, insisting that his detention resulted entirely from court proceedings and not from any action taken by the agency.
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The clarification came amid questions over how Sowore ended up in Kuje Prison after dramatic scenes at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The DSS said the remand followed judicial processes rather than any step taken by its operatives.
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The statement was signed by Favour Dozie, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications at DSS headquarters.
The agency also said its Director-General, Adeola Ajayi, had ordered an investigation into the conduct of operatives captured in videos from the Federal High Court on June 22.
It said it had taken note of public concern over scenes at the court showing Sowore in an altercation with an official of the Nigerian Correctional Service, as well as what appeared to be a scuffle involving DSS operatives.
Although the agency noted that Sowore eventually chose to enter a DSS vehicle rather than one belonging to the correctional service after the incident, it said an immediate investigation had been ordered into the conduct of personnel involved.
“From the foregoing, it is clear that the issues which led to the revocation of his bail and his subsequent remand arose entirely from court processes, as the Service neither arrested him nor opposed his bail application,” the statement said.
Background to the Case
The DSS said the matter dates back to August 25, 2025, when Sowore made social media posts about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following remarks attributed to the president during a visit to Brazil.
“Rather than resort to arrest, the Service, in a letter dated 4th September 2025, demanded a retraction within one week,” it said.
The agency added that the approach reflected what it described as the current director-general’s preference for seeking redress through dialogue or the courts before considering more coercive measures.
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