By Muhammad Mamman
The Department of State Services (DSS)has asked social media giant Meta to deactivate and ban the Facebook account of opposition activist Omoyele Sowore, accusing him of spreading false information that threatens national security.
In a statement on Monday, the Director General of State Services, Uwem Davies, said Sowore’s recent post ridiculing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu crossed “the boundaries of decency” and amounted to a breach of Nigerian law.
The post, published on 26 August, accused Tinubu of lying during a visit to Brazil where he reportedly declared corruption was no longer an issue in Nigeria.
Sowore wrote: “This criminal @ official ABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
The DSS said the comments attracted widespread condemnation and were fuelling political tension both online and offline.
The agency warned the post was “extremely dangerous” and “damaging to the reputation of Mr President and the country before the comity of nations.”
Citing provisions of the Criminal Code, Cybercrimes Act, and Terrorism Prevention Act, the DSS argued Sowore’s remarks fell under offences related to false publication, online harassment, hate speech and threats to national unity.
“It is not in doubt that the words employed by Mr Omoyele Sowore are misleading information, online harassment and abuse,” the statement said.
“It is also a wilful intention to further an ideology capable of serious harm, disunity and discrediting the President.”
The security agency demanded Meta take down the post within 24 hours, warning of “far-reaching, sweeping and across-the-board measures” if the company failed to act.
