Nigerian activist and SaharaReporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, has refused an order from the State Security Services (SSS) to delete a post on X (formerly Twitter) and shut down his account.
His lawyer, Tope Temokun, called the SSS directive “unlawful and unconstitutional,” arguing that it violates freedom of expression under Nigeria’s Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The legal team also warned X that obeying the order could break both Nigerian and international human rights laws.
In a Facebook post, Sowore described the SSS demand as an attempt to silence him.
He said he has faced arrests, detentions, and travel bans in the past because of his activism.
The SSS accused him of spreading “false information, hate speech, and content that could incite violence” after he called President Bola Tinubu a “criminal” in one of his posts.
The agency warned of strong measures if the post was not removed.
X confirmed it had received the request but said no action was taken, advising Sowore to seek legal help.
Sowore vowed not to delete the post, calling the SSS actions “despicable and lawless.”
He added that the Tinubu administration is continuing to use security agencies to intimidate critics like him.