Senior Advocate of Nigeria and lead counsel to Omoyele Sowore, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, has urged Nigeria’s security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police, to remain politically neutral and avoid allowing their institutions to become instruments in political disputes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Olumide-Fusika made the call while discussing Sowore’s ongoing cyberbullying case, stressing that security agencies are institutions of the Nigerian state and should not operate as extensions of individual politicians or political parties.
The senior lawyer said that if the DSS believes further legal action is necessary, the appropriate course would be to refer the matter to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), rather than becoming directly involved in what could become a political dispute.
He maintained that the DSS should focus on its statutory responsibilities and avoid being drawn into political controversies.
According to him, the agency’s recent statements appeared to suggest a more thoughtful approach to the matter, which he said could be welcomed if it ultimately led to a constructive resolution.
Olumide-Fusika repeatedly declined to discuss the substantive merits of the case, explaining that it is still before the court.
He said discussing the specific defence strategy or prosecution issues publicly could amount to crossing the line into the merits of an active court proceeding.
The lawyer, however, maintained that if the DSS does not withdraw the case, the matter would eventually be determined through the judicial process.
He said his priority at the moment was to address the broader political and security implications surrounding the case, particularly as Nigeria approaches another election season.
The discussion also turned to the limits of freedom of expression, particularly as political campaigns and competition intensify ahead of 2027.
Olumide-Fusika said Nigerians must distinguish between legitimate political expression, defamatory statements and conduct that genuinely amounts to criminal behaviour.
He noted that where one individual believes another person has made false and damaging statements about them, the appropriate remedy may ordinarily be a civil action for libel rather than the involvement of security agencies.
The lawyer also expressed concern about what he described as selective attention to alleged cyberbullying, arguing that Nigerians should receive equal protection regardless of their political status or connections.
Olumide-Fusika warned security institutions against becoming battlegrounds for political interests.
He said the DSS, police and other government security agencies should remember that they serve Nigeria rather than individual office holders.
“They are Nigerians. They are not an individual or a politician,” he said, stressing that state institutions should not be turned into instruments for political fights.
He argued that the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions would depend partly on whether government agencies could maintain neutrality during politically sensitive periods.
The SAN also cited what he described as prolonged online harassment against a woman who, according to him, had faced repeated accusations and attacks on social media for several years.
He argued that such conduct, if unsupported by evidence, could constitute the kind of online harassment that law-enforcement agencies should take seriously.
Olumide-Fusika questioned why security agencies would allegedly become highly active when political figures are involved while other Nigerians facing sustained online harassment may struggle to receive similar attention.
He said anyone who possesses evidence of criminal conduct should present it to the appropriate authorities rather than relying on social-media accusations.
The lawyer ultimately called for restraint as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly amid concerns over threats, ethnic and religious rhetoric, hate speech and online attacks.
He said freedom of expression must be protected while unlawful conduct should be addressed through due process and the courts.
Olumide-Fusika also warned against the selective application of laws, arguing that legislation enacted to protect citizens could be misused if government institutions applied it according to political interests.
He concluded by urging security agencies to remember that their ultimate responsibility is to Nigeria and its citizens, rather than to any individual politician or political party.
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