SSS official told to tell Sowore to retract Tinubu post, court hears
In Abuja Federal High Court, State Security Service (SSS) official Davies testified he was instructed by SSS DG Ajayi to write Sowore retracting a social media post about President Tinubu that allegedly angered the president's supporters. Davies stated he acted in his official capacity as an SSS lawyer, not personal capacity, and wrote the letter as directed by his employer.
This testimony reveals alleged use of state security apparatus to pressure critics, directly impacting freedom of expression in Nigeria. Davies could not confirm if Tinubu's supporters were actually angered by the post, and noted the defense failed to serve subpoenas on the SSS DG or Tinubu's spokesman Bayo Onanuga despite court applications.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between state security institutions and civic discourse. Note whether such institutional pressure patterns persist in Nigeria's democratic space, particularly regarding social media expression and political criticism.