Human rights activist and former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of orchestrating a politically motivated prosecution to silence his criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement on his X account following the continuation of his trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Sowore described the charges against him as an act of retaliation for his social media commentary on Tinubu’s record and conduct.

“Today, the politically scripted trial concocted by the lawless DSS resumed at the Federal High Court. The case before the court is nothing more than naked retaliation for my truthful social media statements, where I described President Bola Tinubu exactly as his record and conduct reveal him to be,” Sowore said.

He characterized the courtroom proceedings as an attempt to create the impression that dissent could be criminalized in Nigeria.

“In a scene befitting an authoritarian farce, the DSS prosecutor, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, appeared in court seeking my detention, while attorneys representing Facebook concurred with the FGN prosecuting team. This was not because I committed any offence, but because my voice threatens the Tinubu regime,” Sowore added.

Despite the prosecution’s demands, Justice M. G. Umar granted Sowore bail on self-recognisance, signaling that the court recognized the trial as an attack on free expression.

“Seeing through the absurdity, he granted me bail, an unmistakable acknowledgment that this prosecution is an assault on free expression and a cowardly attempt to silence a person opposed to the regime,” Sowore noted.

Sowore reaffirmed his commitment to continue speaking out against government policies and alleged corruption, refusing to be silenced by the trial or any security agency.

“I will not be silenced. I will continue to challenge rotten policies, expose criminals in power, and speak truth to authority without apology. No security agency, no compromised prosecutor, and no dictator masquerading as a president will intimidate me into silence,” he said.

He concluded by emphasizing his determination to fight for Nigerians’ rights, vowing to persist despite what he called “sham charges” and “fabricated trials.”

“We are not backing down because Nigeria’s battered people must be rescued, and we will fight for them, no matter how many sham charges or fabricated trials are thrown our way,” Sowore added.