DSS arraigns Lagos man over social media post, calls on Military to overthrow Tinubu

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned a Lagos-based man, Paul Jibrin Oweleke, before the Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations that he used social media to call for a military coup to remove President Bola Tinubu from office.

Oweleke was brought before Justice Akintoye Aluko on Monday on a two-count charge bordering on cybercrime and the alleged transmission of messages said to be capable of inciting public disorder.

When the case was called, DSS counsel, Michael Bajela, informed the court that the prosecution had filed charges against the defendant and requested that they be read for him to enter his plea. The charges were subsequently read, and Oweleke pleaded not guilty.

According to the prosecution, the defendant, through a social media platform allegedly known as “Oweleke TV,” published messages calling on the military to replicate the type of political takeover witnessed in Burkina Faso and remove President Bola Tinubu from office.

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The DSS further alleged that the publications were subversive in nature and capable of inciting public unrest, disaffection, and a breakdown of law and order.

Prosecutors also told the court that the alleged broadcasts were made around May 23, 2025, and included content described as threatening and harassing toward the President and the office of the President.

The charges were said to contravene provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024), under sections relating to the transmission of harmful messages and cyber harassment.

Following the plea of not guilty, the prosecution urged the court to remand the defendant in custody and set a date for trial, while the defence counsel applied for bail, stating that a formal application had already been filed.

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The defence also requested that the bail motion be heard immediately, but the prosecution said it needed time to respond adequately to the application, noting that it was served shortly before proceedings began.

After hearing both sides, Justice Aluko adjourned the case until June 16, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant remain in custody pending determination of the motion.

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