Human rights activist and SaharaReporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, has filed a lawsuit against the Department of State Services (DSS), Meta (owners of Facebook), and X Corp. (formerly Twitter) at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Sowore is challenging the unconstitutional censorship of his social media accounts, which he claims was initiated by the DSS.

The Controversy

The controversy began when Sowore referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” in a social media post. The DSS subsequently demanded that Sowore delete the post, citing it as “false, malicious, and inciting.” When Sowore refused to comply, the agency petitioned Meta and X, urging them to delete his posts and deactivate his verified accounts.

Sowore’s Argument

Sowore’s lawyer, Tope Temokun, argues that the DSS has no legal authority to censor Nigerians on social media. “If state agencies can dictate to global platforms who may speak and what may be said, then no Nigerian is safe, their voices will be silenced at the whim of those in power,” Temokun said. Sowore is seeking declarations that his rights and those of other Nigerians be fully protected against unlawful interference.

The Larger Implication

The lawsuit highlights the tension between freedom of expression and government regulation of social media. Sowore’s case has drawn attention to the importance of protecting free speech in Nigeria, with many calling for the government to respect citizens’ rights to express themselves online.

What’s Next

The case is ongoing, with the DSS having filed criminal charges against Sowore over his social media posts. The charges have not yet been assigned to a judge, and no date has been fixed for Sowore’s arraignment. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for freedom of expression in Nigeria.