Sowore Wants Court to Summon DG of SSS, Bayo Onanuga to Testify in His Defence

The case of Omoyele Sowore, a Nigerian activist, is ongoing in Nigeria's jurisdiction. Sowore has requested that the court summon the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Bayo Onanuga, to testify in his defence. The request is part of Sowore's defence against criminal defamation, cyberstalking, and incitement charges brought by the SSS.

Omoyele Sowore, a Nigerian activist, has requested that the court summon the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Bayo Onanuga, to testify in his defence. This request is part of Sowore's ongoing case against criminal defamation, cyberstalking, and incitement charges brought by the SSS. The matter has significant implications for the role of security agencies in Nigeria and their potential influence on the judiciary.

The case against Sowore stems from his social media posts last year calling former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu a criminal. The SSS is prosecuting him under various sections of the Nigerian Criminal Code. This development raises questions about the limits of free speech in Nigeria and the potential for security agencies to influence the outcome of court cases.

The request by Sowore's defence team to summon Onanuga as a witness highlights the complex relationship between the judiciary and security agencies in Nigeria. The involvement of high-ranking officials from the SSS in the prosecution of Sowore raises concerns about potential bias and undue influence on the court's decision. Furthermore, this case has implications for the protection of free speech in Nigeria, particularly in the context of online expression.

The outcome of this matter is not yet clear, but it highlights the need for careful consideration of the role of security agencies in the prosecution of cases involving sensitive issues such as free speech. Practitioners should be aware of the potential implications of this case on the relationship between the judiciary and security agencies in Nigeria.