The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, has disclosed that the Service is pursuing a number of high-impact cybercrime prosecutions as part of efforts to strengthen deterrence and curb the misuse of digital platforms.

Speaking at the public presentation of Electronic Evidence (Second Edition) and A Compendium of Cases on Electronic Evidence, Volume II, Ajayi said the DSS had deliberately identified cases capable of setting legal precedents and discouraging cyber-enabled offences.

According to him, investigators and prosecutors are focusing on cases whose outcomes could reinforce compliance with the law and promote responsible use of digital platforms.

“We are prosecuting a number of suspects who committed offences under that Act,” Ajayi said, referring to the Cybercrimes Act.

He added that the Service had intentionally selected a handful of cases expected to have significant deterrent value.

“We have picked one, or two, or three, four, five, six that will give impact,” he said.

The DSS chief also revealed that one of the pending cases involves a presidential candidate alleged to have made statements against the President, but declined to provide further details because the matter is before the court.

“There is one of them who is a presidential candidate and disparaged a sitting President. We chose that one. I can’t talk about him because he is in court,” he stated.

Ajayi stressed that cybercrime extends beyond financial fraud, warning that online incitement and irresponsible use of digital platforms could escalate into broader threats to public safety and national security if left unchecked.

“What I know is that if you allow these crimes to go on, you are going to wait for a bigger act,” he said.

He urged closer collaboration among investigators, prosecutors and the judiciary to ensure effective enforcement of the Cybercrimes Act, arguing that landmark convictions would discourage similar offences.

“What we are pleading for here is support… If you convict one, that has impact. Others will be deterred,” he added.

Ajayi also praised retired Justice Professor Alaba Omolaye Ajileye for his contributions to the development of electronic evidence jurisprudence, describing his scholarly works as valuable resources for investigators and prosecutors handling cybercrime cases.

He said the growing reliance on electronic evidence has become central to successful prosecution of technology-driven crimes and called for sustained judicial support in strengthening Nigeria’s cybercrime enforcement framework.