Sowore’s lawyers ask X to ignore DSS request to delete post on Tinubu

Tope Temokun Chambers, law firm representing Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, has asked X to disregard a request from the Department of State Services (DSS) to take down one of Sowore’s posts on President Bola Tinubu.

The DSS had written to X demanding the deactivation of Sowore’s verified account, saying his recent post on Tinubu could incite violence and threaten national security.

In a post on Sunday, Sowore said X officially contacted him about a letter from the DSS demanding the removal of his content.

In a letter addressed to X, the law firm described the DSS request as “unlawful, unconstitutional and without legal foundation”.

Citing section 39(1) of the 1999 constitution, article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and several judicial precedents, the law firm noted that only a court of competent jurisdiction can restrict expression.

“The DSS is not a court of law and cannot arrogate such powers to itself,” the letter reads.

The law firm accused the Nigerian government of a “historical pattern of repression” against Sowore, referencing his repeated arrests, detentions and ongoing trials since 2019.

They chambers that during the recent #EndBadGovernance protest, Sowore was placed on a “no-entry” list by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and has since faced fresh charges despite his passport being held in court since February.

“This request is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of harassment and censorship designed to silence a critic of the government,” the letter reads.

The chambers noted the international implications, adding that Sowore is a US permanent resident.

Complying with the DSS request, the law firm warned, would make X “complicit in the violation of human rights obligations”.

The chambers demanded that X ignore the DSS directive, saying any compliance would amount to “aiding and abetting state repression”.

“We must emphasize that Mr. Sowore is a U.S.-based permanent resident, which makes this issue one of not only Nigerian constitutional law but also of international concern. To comply with the DSS request would make X complicit in the violation of both Nigerian and international human rights standards,” the letter reads.

“In view of the above, we demand that X disregard the unlawful request of the DSS. Any compliance with this censorship attempt would amount to aiding and abetting state repression in violation of binding human rights obligations.

“Our client reserves the right to seek redress before competent national and international fora should any action be taken that violates his rights.”