The Department of State Services (DSS) has decided to postpone the cybercrime case against Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), until after the 2027 presidential elections. This strategic move is aimed at allowing Sowore to fully engage in the electioneering process without the distraction of ongoing court proceedings.

The case against Sowore stems from social media posts where he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a "criminal." These posts, made on Sowore's X account and Facebook page on August 25, 2025, prompted the DSS to issue a seven-day ultimatum for their removal. When Sowore did not comply, the agency sought a judicial determination from the Federal High Court on the legality of publicly labeling the President or any other individual as a criminal.

Initially, the DSS included X, formerly known as Twitter, and Meta, the parent company of Facebook, in the lawsuit. However, the Federal High Court later dismissed these tech companies from the case, leaving Sowore as the sole defendant. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him under the Cybercrimes Act 2024 and has criticized the prosecution as politically motivated, asserting that it aims to curtail his freedom of expression.

In response to the ongoing situation, Sowore has also filed fundamental rights suits against the DSS and the technology companies, challenging what he perceives as attempts to censor his voice. A source close to the DSS legal team revealed that the agency's Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, held a meeting with senior legal officials on August 20 to discuss the possibility of pausing the case. This decision came shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lifted the ban on campaigns for the upcoming presidential election.

The source indicated that Ajayi expressed that it would be fair to suspend the court case to allow Sowore to participate fully in the elections. With the case already pending in court for nearly a year, the DSS believes that a further four-month delay would not significantly impact the proceedings.

The DSS has maintained that the case is not solely about restricting Sowore's political activities but is also aimed at obtaining a judicial interpretation regarding the appropriateness of calling the President a criminal. In a letter addressed to Meta's chairman on September 6, 2025, the DSS emphasized its responsibility to protect the President from both physical and psychological threats.

The formal communication regarding the suspension of the case is expected to be submitted to the Federal High Court on September 14, 2026, coinciding with the court's return from its annual judicial vacation. Sowore, who has been granted bail by the Federal High Court on self-recognition, is anticipated to continue his political activities as the 2027 presidential election approaches.