Nigerian Security Service Moves to Suspend Sowore’s Cyberstalking Trial as 2027 Election Race Heats Up
Nigeria’s State Security Service is asking a court to temporarily halt the cyberstalking trial of activist Omoyele Sowore, citing the intensifying political climate ahead of the 2027 general elections. The agency announced the move on Tuesday, marking a significant twist in a case that has drawn national attention.
The State Security Service (SSS) said its director general, Oluwatosin Ajayi, directed the agency’s counsel, Akintola Kehinde, to file a request for a temporary suspension of the case [231280]. The spokesperson announced the decision on Tuesday, explaining that the move was linked to “growing political activities” ahead of the 2027 elections [231280].
Sowore, a former presidential candidate and prominent government critic, has repeatedly denied the charges, calling them politically motivated [231280]. The trial, which involves charges of cyberstalking, has become a flashpoint in the country’s political discourse. The SSS did not provide further details on why the suspension was being sought or how long it might last [231280].
The development comes as political jostling for the 2027 election cycle begins to intensify across the country [231280]. Sowore, who has positioned himself as a potential political figure, has long accused authorities of using legal mechanisms to silence dissent. The suspension request adds a new layer of uncertainty to an already charged political environment, with observers now watching how the court will respond to the SSS’s unusual move.