Sowore Accuses DSS Boss of Plot to Jail Him, Arrest Journalist

Omoyele Sowore has levelled fresh allegations against the Department of State Services, claiming its Director-General, Tosin Ajation involving his lawyers, a journalist and the judiciary.

Atlantic Post

July 9, 2026

2–4 minutes

#RevolutionNow, DSS, Justice M.G. Umar, Kuje Prison, Omoyele Sowore, Zainab Sodiq

Omoyele Sowore has alleged that the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Tosin Ajayi, is behind a series of actions aimed at intimidating him, his legal team and journalists covering his activities, in a fresh pair of statements shared on social media.

In the first statement, the activist and publisher alleged that DSS personnel attacked him at the Federal High Court last week, accusing the agency’s boss of first sending “goons” against him before later claiming to be investigating the same incident.

“The DG of the lawless DSS, Tosin Ajayi, sent his goons to attack me at the Federal High Court last week. When it backfired, he turned around to claim he was ‘investigating’ the same attack,” Sowore wrote.

He also recounted his recent detention at Kuje Prison, alleging that a DSS prosecutor, A.T. Kehinde, SAN, attempted to have him returned to custody by claiming he had not perfected his bail conditions.

“After I spent nine days in Kuje Prison, his prosecutor, A.T. Kehinde, SAN, tried to have me sent back by falsely claiming I had not perfected my bail,” he said. “When the Bail Unit confirmed that I had met the conditions, he still refused to certify my sureties as requested by the judge.”

According to Sowore, when that alleged effort failed, the DSS arrested journalist Zainab Sodiq, who he said has been covering his activities. He further alleged that he was told the DSS boss had already struck a deal with Justice M.G. Umar to ensure he was jailed despite his defence.

“Yesterday, I was told that Tosin Ajayi had already struck a deal with Justice M.G. Umar to jail me regardless of my legal defence. I cannot independently confirm this claim, but I am putting it on public record,” he said.

Sowore said he was prepared for whatever may follow, adding: “As for me, I am ready for the worst.”

He also directed heavy criticism at the Tinubu administration, alleging that the government is closing democratic space, attacking journalists, persecuting opponents and using state institutions to settle scores.

“The Tinubu regime will collapse, if it hasn’t collapsed already,” he wrote. “A regime that closes democratic spaces, attacks journalists, persecutes opponents, uses compromised institutions to settle scores, and terrorises citizens is creating the conditions for a mass uprising.”

Sowore added that Nigerians would not remain silent forever, saying: “The Nigerian people will not remain cowed forever. Repression has consequences!”

In a second statement, Sowore said journalist Zainab Sodiq, whom he described as covering his activities, was being taken to the Federal High Court in Abuja by the DSS.

“REVOLUTIONARY COMRADES! The lawless DSS is taking journalist Zainab Sodiq, who covers my activities, to the Federal High Court in Abuja today,” he wrote.

He called on supporters and other Nigerians to mobilise and attend court in solidarity, saying: “We urge the masses and all freedom-loving Nigerians to mobilise and move to the court in solidarity.”

Sowore ended the message with a defiant political tone, declaring: “This is our country. We cannot remain slaves in our own land forever. Repression will not save the oppressors!”

The DSS has not publicly responded to the allegations in the statements quoted by Sowore. His remarks are the latest in a long-running confrontation between the activist and Nigeria’s security and justice institutions, which he and his supporters have repeatedly accused of political persecution.