The legal team of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has condemned the Department of State Services (DSS) over an alleged attempt to compel X (formerly Twitter) to remove one of Sowore’s posts concerning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement signed by Tope Temokun, Esq., the chambers described the move as “illegal and unconstitutional,” stressing that the DSS lacks constitutional or statutory powers to censor citizens or procure their censorship through private platforms.
According to the statement, Sowore received a notice from X confirming that the DSS had requested the removal of his post. The request was formally rejected by his lawyers, who have demanded that the DSS desist from further attempts at censorship.
“The 1999 Constitution, under Section 39, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights guarantee freedom of expression. Only a competent court of law can order restrictions on speech,” Temokun said.
He warned that any persistence by the DSS in this direction would be met with legal action to safeguard the constitutional rights of Nigerians.
