The Department of State Services (DSS) is seeking to pause the ongoing alleged cyber-bullying case against African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, until after the 2027 presidential election, in a move officials say is aimed at ensuring that the candidate is able to participate fully in the electoral process.

The development represents a significant shift in the handling of the case, which arose from social media posts in which Sowore referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”

The DSS had approached the Federal High Court to determine whether it was lawful for Sowore to describe the President or any individual as a criminal, while also seeking judicial interpretation on related issues, including the legality of Professor Pat Utomi’s proposed “Shadow Government.

But with presidential campaigns now underway, the security agency has directed its private counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, to seek an adjournment of the Sowore case until after the January 16, 2027 presidential election.

A source close to the DSS legal team disclosed that the decision followed a meeting between the Director-General of the service, Tosin Ajayi, Kehinde and senior officers of the agency’s legal directorate on August 20, a day after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially lifted the ban on campaigns.

According to the source, Ajayi told the legal team that it would be fair to allow Sowore to exercise his right to contest the presidential election without the pending case becoming an impediment to his campaign.

“The DSS boss reportedly told the Senior Advocate and his directorate of legal services that, with the commencement of presidential campaigns, it would only be fair to adjourn the court case in order to enable Sowore fully participate in the upcoming elections without let or hindrance,” the source said.

The position is particularly notable because the DSS had earlier pursued the matter after Sowore refused to remove the posts following a seven-day ultimatum issued by the agency.

The security service subsequently approached the court on September 16, 2025, after the expiration of the ultimatum, seeking adjudication on the matter.

The DSS had also stated in a September 6, 2025 letter to Meta, the parent company of Facebook, that its responsibility to protect the President extended beyond physical threats to what it described as psychological attacks.

However, nearly a year after the case was instituted, the agency now believes that continuing with the proceedings during the election campaign could unnecessarily interfere with Sowore’s participation in the poll.

The source said Ajayi was of the view that the case had already spent almost a year before the court and that delaying proceedings for a few additional months would not materially affect the matter.

“The DSS boss told the lawyers that, since the matter had been in court for nearly a year, suspending it for another few months wouldn’t make much difference,” the source said.

The development also appears to form part of a wider review by the DSS of cases involving candidates contesting elective positions in the 2027 elections.

The source said cases involving other candidates were being reviewed to determine whether similar considerations should apply.

The DSS is expected to formally approach the Federal High Court for the adjournment from September 14, 2026, when the court is scheduled to resume normal proceedings after the annual judicial vacation.

Kehinde, SAN, confirmed the development when contacted.

He said the proposed adjournment was consistent with what he described as the “civilised approach” of the current DSS Director-General, which, he said, was intended to ensure a level playing field and provide candidates with the opportunity to participate in the electoral process.

“We will seek the indulgence of the court for the adjournment,” he said.