By Our Correspondent

The Department of State Services (DSS) has instructed its private counsel, Akinolu Kehinde, SAN, to take steps to suspend the case of alleged cyber-bullying it instituted against African Action Congress (AAC) , Omoyele Sowore, until after the next presidential election slated for January 16, 2027.

The DSS had approached the court to determine if it was proper for Sowore to allegedly cyber-bully President Bola Tinubu on August 25, 2025 posts on his “X” handle and Facebook page, referring to the president as a “criminal.”

The secret police stated that the Sowore matter was to seek judicial interpretation on the propriety of arbitrarily calling President Bola Tinubu or any individual a criminal, same way it approached the court to rule on the legality of Professor Pat Utomi’s “Shadow Government.”

The DSS, in a 6th September, 2025, letter to the chairman of Meta Corp, stated that, aside from protecting the President from physical threats, it is also, by law, empowered to protect him from psychological attacks.

After Sowore’s posts, the DSS gave him seven days to pull them down. After the expiration of the ultimatum, and the politician still refused to pull down the posts, the secret police, without inviting or arresting him, on September 16, 2025, approached the court for adjudication.

A source close to the DSS lawyer, disclosed that the Director General, Mr. Tosin Ajayi, met with the senior lawyer and top officers of the DSS’ legal directorate on August 20, a day after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially lifted the ban on presidential campaigns, to consider pausing the court case to enable Sowore fully exercise his right to contest the upcoming presidential election.

“The DSS boss reportedly told the Senior Advocate and his directorate of legal services that, with the commencement of presidential campaigns, it would only be fair to pause the court case in order to enable Sowore fully participate in the upcoming elections without let or hindrance,” disclosed the source.

He added, “The DSS boss told the lawyers that, since the matter had been in court for nearly a year, suspending it for another four months wouldn’t make much difference.”

The source added that the position of the DSS on suspending the matter with Sowore is expected to be formally communicated to the Federal High Court from Monday, September 14, 2026, when the court is expected to resume normal sittings after returning from annual judicial vacation.

End

By George Mgbeleke

Frontline pro-democracy and civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticised the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, and the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) over what it described as prolonged inaction on petitions alleging cybercrime, unlawful interception of private communications and data protection breaches involving a senior naval officer and other officials of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

In a statement issued on August 30, 2026, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, expressed concern that more than a year after the petitions were submitted, neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the NDPC had publicly communicated the status of their investigations or taken visible steps to address the allegations.

The rights group described the delay as inconsistent with the statutory responsibilities of both institutions, warning that it could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s commitment to enforcing cybercrime and data protection laws.

According to HURIWA, the petitions, submitted on July 1, 2025, by PRNigeria Publisher, Alhaji Yushau A. Shuaib, alleged the unauthorised access, interception and use of private digital correspondence belonging to him and his organisation during disciplinary proceedings at NIPSS without a court order or lawful authorisation.

The organisation noted that the petitions named Barrister Nima Salman Mann, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha and Professor Elias Wahab as individuals allegedly linked to the incident, adding that the allegations raise serious questions under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023 and other relevant cybersecurity laws.

HURIWA said that if the allegations are established through investigation, they could constitute significant violations of Nigeria’s data protection framework with implications for privacy rights, institutional data governance, media source confidentiality and public trust in government institutions.

The group called on the National Data Protection Commission, led by its National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, to clarify the status of the petition, disclose any interim findings and outline measures being taken to prevent similar breaches within public institutions.

According to the organisation, the matter has gone beyond an individual grievance and now represents a test of Nigeria’s commitment to enforcing its data protection regime, particularly within government agencies.

HURIWA also urged the Inspector-General of Police to direct the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) to expedite investigations into the alleged cybercrime.

HURIWA recalled that a similar group had previously raised similar concerns in a statement issued on April 6, 2026, lamenting delays in acting on the petition despite what it termed credible evidence submitted to investigators.

It alleged that the police had yet to invite or question the individuals named in the petition, particularly Rear Admiral Mustapha, whom it described as central to the allegations of intimidation, institutional bullying and the unlawful interception of private correspondence.
HURIWA further raised concerns over what it described as a possible conflict of interest, alleging that two of the individuals named in the petition—Barrister Mann and Rear Admiral Mustapha—are members of the National Institute (mni), alongside former Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Sadiq Idris Abubakar, who previously supervised the FCID.

The association argued that any perception of preferential treatment based on institutional affiliations could erode public confidence in law enforcement and the principle of equality before the law.

The organisation also drew attention to the recent publication of Shuaib’s memoir, “MNI Versus MNIPR in NIPSS: Tackling Institutional Bullying,” which recounts his experiences during the 2025 Senior Executive Course at NIPSS and alleges a pattern of institutional intimidation, with Rear Admiral Mustapha identified as a central figure in the events that culminated in his withdrawal from the programme.

According to HURIWA, while the memoir has renewed public interest in the controversy, the allegations of cybercrime and data breaches remain separate issues requiring independent criminal investigation.

The group stressed that the pending civil litigation arising from Shuaib’s withdrawal from the Senior Executive Course does not preclude criminal investigation into the cyber-related allegations.

“An elementary principle of law is that the existence of a civil suit does not bar criminal investigation or prosecution where criminal offences are alleged,” the statement noted.
HURIWA called on the police to invite all individuals named in the petitions for questioning in accordance with due process and urged the NDPC to fulfil its statutory mandate by investigating the alleged violations promptly and transparently.

It warned that continued delay in addressing the petitions could reinforce perceptions of selective justice and weaken public trust in Nigeria’s law enforcement and data protection institutions.

The association reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accountability, the rule of law and stronger institutional safeguards for digital privacy and cybersecurity in Nigeria.

By our correspondent

Apparently disturbed by the indiscriminate killings of chieftains of political parties and residents of Osun state after the recent governorship election,the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the August 15, 2026 Osun State election, Bola Oyebamiji, has congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his victory.

This is as Oyebamiji called for a thorough investigation into reported cases of post-election violence and killings in the state.

Oyebamiji, in a statement made available to Journalists in Osogbo on Saturday, urged the governor, as Chief Security Officer of the state, to take full responsibility for safeguarding the lives and property of all citizens during this sensitive post-election period.

He said, “In the spirit of democracy and as we commemorate the 35th anniversary of the creation of our dear Osun State, I congratulate His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Executive Governor of Osun State, on his victory in the August 15, 2026 governorship election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“At the same time, I call on Mr. Governor, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, to do everything within his constitutional responsibility to protect the lives and property of all citizens, particularly during this sensitive post-election period.

“The senseless killings, harassment and intimidation of members and supporters of our party must therefore stop forthwith. Attacks on innocent citizens and their businesses must not be allowed to continue. There are disturbing reports of attacks on small and medium-sized businesses because of the perceived political affiliations or non-allegiance of their owners to the Accord Party.

“This is clearly condemnable and unacceptable. For a state that aspires to achieve economic growth, attract investment and create sustainable employment opportunities for its people, the provision of security and a conducive environment for businesses to thrive is not negotiable.”

He also recalled the deaths of former Chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, Hon. Remi Abass, who was killed in Ikire; APC Chairman in Atakumosa Local Government Area, Chief Gbenga Ogbara; Mr. Dele Ayegbo, nephew of Hon. Wole Oke, Director-General of his 2026 Governorship Campaign Council, as well as over 35 other victims he attributed to political violence.

However, Oyebamiji called on the Nigeria Police Force to launch a thorough investigation into the killings and bring the perpetrators to justice, while offering his deepest condolences and continued support to the bereaved families.