Lere Olayinka Counters Sowore’s Court Claims, Says ‘Free Speech Isn’t a License for Defamation’

On Monday, October 6, 2025, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, reacted to a post by activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore regarding his ongoing legal battle with the Department of State Services (DSS).

Sowore had earlier taken to his X handle to share updates from a court hearing involving himself, Meta, and X (formerly Twitter). The activist revealed that the companies were dragged into the case over alleged defamatory posts — one of which labeled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) a criminal.

According to Sowore, Meta’s legal representative appeared to side with the DSS during the hearing, sparking online discussions about freedom of expression and digital censorship in Nigeria.

In response, Olayinka fired back on his own X page, emphasizing that freedom of speech does not include making unfounded criminal allegations against individuals.

The online exchange reignited public debate about free speech, accountability, and Nigeria’s cybercrime laws, particularly given Sowore’s history with the DSS following his 2019 #RevolutionNow movement.

As of now, neither side has escalated the matter further, but Nigerians are closely watching as the court proceedings unfold and the debate over digital rights continues.

FG Arraign Sowore Over Posts Against Bola Tinubu.

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government on Tuesday arraigned a human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.

Sowore was arraigned on a five-count charge for allegedly making false posts against President Tinubu to cause breakdown of law and order.

Sowore, publisher of the Sahara Reporters online newspaper, is in the courtroom of the Federal High Court Abuja, to answer charges of alleged involvement in cyber bullying, cyber stalking and making false claims about Tinubu.


The charges have X. Incorporation and Meta (Facebook) as two other defendants.

Sowore was accused of using his official X handle to make the post, “This criminal @ official PBAT Actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”

The alleged offending post, said to be contrary to Section 24(2) (b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024, was said to have been made on August 25 within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

Same Chairman of EFCC told Us If Bello Wasn't Arrested He'd Resign; He's Back On The Streets–Sowore.

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has strongly criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), arguing that the agency has become too weak to fight corruption in Nigeria.

In a video shared by TV Platinum, Sowore said the EFCC has lost credibility and can no longer handle high-profile corruption cases because the country’s powerful politicians have already taken control of the commission. He likened the EFCC to a powerless institution that no longer serves its original purpose of holding corrupt leaders accountable.

He reminded Nigerians that the current EFCC chairman, Olanipekun Oluyede, once made a bold promise to resign if former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, was not arrested. Despite that promise, Bello has remained free. Sowore pointed out that Bello had traveled, enjoyed vacations, and later returned to public life while still facing trial. Instead of being treated like a suspect, he claimed, Bello has continued to receive respect and influence within the political space.

Sowore also alleged that Bello is working towards a political comeback in Kogi State, which he described as an attempt at a “back door third term.” This, he said, shows how corruption and impunity remain deeply rooted in Nigeria’s political system.

In his words, "This same chairman of EFCC told us that if Bello wasn't arrested, he would resign. Bello was never arrested. Bello decided that after he had gone around and played and gone on vacation, came back to come and play, he's back on the streets."

Sowore Condemns Attack On Activist ‘Mama Pee’ At Benin Airport After Confronting Julius Abure, Demands Arrest, Prosecution Of Assailants.

The attack on Mama Pee on Saturday. It followed her reported confrontation with Abure at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where she accused him of frustrating Nigerians.

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has strongly condemned the attack on Precious Onuche, popularly known as Mama P, by thugs suspected to be loyal to the factional National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, at the Benin Airport in Edo State.

The attack on Mama Pee on Saturday. It followed her reported confrontation with Abure at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where she accused him of frustrating Nigerians.

According to eyewitnesses, Mama Pee saw Abure at the airport trying to board a plane and told him, "Is it not Julius Abure? You're the one frustrating Nigerians." Abure responded with, "How can?"

Mama Pee continued, "In case nobody has told you, you're the one frustrating Nigerians. Are you not Julius Abure? What are you now doing with Labour Party? Police are looking for you. You've destroyed the Labour Party, and you're entering an aeroplane? May God punish all of you."

The situation escalated upon arrival at Benin Airport, where Mama Pee was attacked by suspected thugs loyal to Abure, inflicting injuries on her. Despite the attack, the police arrested and detained her, letting the attackers go free.

Reacting to the assault, Sowore, a former presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), condemned the attack on Mama Pee, describing it as unacceptable.

“I strongly condemn the Benin City airport attack on MamaPee, a courageous political activist who uses social media effectively to call out societal wrongs,” Sowore said.

DSS Director-General Ajayi Places ₦20million Bounty, Detains 16 Officers Over Promotion Exam Scandal Exposed.

According to insider sources, the scandal involved allegations of widespread malpractice and manipulation of the agency’s internal promotion exams.

The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, has reportedly placed a ₦20million bounty and ordered the detention of 16 DSS officers following revelations surrounding a promotion examination scandal exposed by SaharaReporters.

According to insider sources, the scandal involved allegations of widespread malpractice and manipulation of the agency’s internal promotion exams.

The exposé detailed how senior officers colluded to inflate scores, favour preferred candidates, and undermine the integrity of the process, sparking outrage both within and outside the Service.

"His main focus is to find those officers in the DSS leaking the infractions to SaharaReporters. He even sent a senior DSS officer to reach out to people he felt were close to human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, last week," a top source informed this newspaper on Saturday.

On September 8 that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) expressed outrage over what they described as the "inhumane and chaotic conditions" that characterised the agency’s recent promotion examination exercise, which reportedly led to the death of eight officers.

The tragedy occurred as many personnel were forced to fund their own travel and accommodation for the exams, with no financial support from the agency.

The situation, sources had said, created extreme hardship and anxiety, ultimately costing the lives of officers who collapsed or fell ill while struggling to meet the demands of the process.

Sowore Urges Nigerian Women to Demand Equal Political Representation

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has called on Nigerian women to resist political marginalization and stop being used as tools in the political space.

In an interview with Platinum TV, Sowore stressed that despite their huge contribution to elections, women remain grossly underrepresented in leadership. He highlighted that women make up about 51% of Nigeria’s voting population, yet their numbers in the National Assembly do not reflect this demographic strength.

“There are 51% of women voting in an election; why can’t we have 51% of them in the Senate?” Sowore asked. “Women should be represented in the same proportion as their population. They should not be oppressed or relegated.”

He further challenged women to go beyond symbolic roles in politics, urging them to assert themselves as equals to men.

“Women must stop playing second fiddle to men. Stop being the ones politicians put in party clothes, the ones dancing at rallies, or sweeping the venue after the event,” Sowore stated. “You are equal to men and must take your rightful place in leadership.”

His remarks have reignited conversations on women’s participation in politics, with many observers agreeing that democracy cannot flourish without gender balance in governance.

Wike’s Aide Refutes Sowore’s Claims on INEC Chairman Yakubu

Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed allegations made by activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, regarding the status of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

In a statement shared on his X handle, Olayinka faulted Sahara Reporters for publishing what he described as false and sensational claims suggesting that President Bola Tinubu had forcefully removed Yakubu from office.

He clarified that the INEC Chairman was only directed to proceed on terminal leave, a routine administrative procedure that comes shortly before the end of his tenure, which is set to expire on October 21, 2025.

The controversy arose after Sahara Reporters alleged that Yakubu’s exit was politically motivated, linking it to claims of disloyalty during his time in office. The report quickly gained traction online, sparking heated debate and mixed reactions among Nigerians.

While some social media users accepted the narrative, others condemned it as misleading. Responding firmly, Olayinka stressed that Yakubu’s leave was procedural and not punitive. He accused Sahara Reporters of attempting to stir unnecessary controversy with politically sensitive misinformation.

“Spreading falsehood on such critical national matters only serves to mislead the public and fuel needless tension,” Olayinka warned.

Wike’s U.S. Property Laundering Exposed: Sowore Uncovers Florida Real Estate Transfers to Wife and Children

A new exposé by activist Omoyele Sowore has revealed a sprawling real estate laundering scheme involving Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzette Wike, a serving Court of Appeal judge. Documents obtained from Florida public records show that the couple transferred multiple U.S. properties—worth millions of dollars—into the names of their children between 2021 and 2023, using Quit Claim Deeds, a legal method often exploited to quietly conceal property ownership.

Sowore, sharing the documents publicly, accused Wike of using his political office to launder funds into U.S. real estate. The properties, located in Seminole County, Florida, were transferred to their children Jordan, Joaquin, and Jazmyne Wike, with one of the deeds executed just days after Wike assumed office as FCT Minister in August 2023.

The activist further alleged that the minister's denial of U.S. property ownership during a recent TV interview was a calculated lie, as he had directly signed the deeds. Sowore also linked these transfers to broader patterns of corruption, including Wike’s alleged abuse of office to allocate over 2,000 hectares of prime Abuja land to his son, bypassing due process and payments.

In addition, a prior report by Peoples Gazette revealed that Wike secretly acquired a $2 million mansion in Florida under the names of his wife and children, raising serious questions about his declared income and sources of wealth. The house, located at 113 Spring Creek Lane, Winter Springs, is also linked to earlier property transfers.

Sowore has since petitioned U.S. authorities, alleging money laundering, asset concealment, and trafficking in stolen public funds, urging investigation under the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative.

Justice Eberechi Wike’s U.S. Democratic Party membership was also flagged, as it violates Nigeria’s Judicial Code of Conduct, which forbids judges from holding partisan affiliations.

Wike, Nigeria’s former Rivers State governor and now a key minister under President Bola Tinubu, has repeatedly denied all allegations.

Wike’s U.S. Property Laundering Exposed: Sowore Uncovers Florida Real Estate Transfers to Wife and Children

Wike Dragged Before US Govt Over Newly-Acquired Florida Mansions, Faces Visa Ban.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has been dragged before the United States government over alleged unlawful acquisition of multimillion-dollar properties in Florida.

Activist Omoyele Sowore, in a petition dated September 22, 2025, asked the Florida attorney general, James Uthmeier, to prosecute Mr Wike for alleged money laundering and to initiate forfeiture proceedings against the assets.

The petition, signed by his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, also urged U.S. authorities to impose sanctions and visa bans on the minister.

The petition, citing Peoples Gazette’s September 1 report and supported with three claim deeds as exhibits, alleged that Mr Wike, with the assistance of his wife, Justice Eberechi Nyesom-Wike of Nigeria’s Court of Appeal, secretly purchased three luxury lakeside homes in Winter Springs, Seminole County, between 2021 and 2023. The properties, now valued at over $6 million, were reportedly transferred to their children — Jordan, 25, Joaquin, 23, and Jazmyne, 20.

The identified homes are: 113 Springcreek Lane, bought for $535,000 and transferred to Jordan; 209 Hertherwood Court, bought for $459,157 and transferred to Joaquin; and 208 Hertherwood Court, bought for $465,000 and transferred to Jazmyne.

According to the petition, all three purchases were made in cash using quitclaim deeds, a transfer mechanism often used within families but vulnerable to exploitation for concealing illicit funds.

“These transactions, executed in cash and hidden under the names of his children, form a deliberate scheme to launder the proceeds of corruption into U.S. real estate,” the petition stated.

Mr Sowore further alleged that the properties were never declared to Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau, thereby breaching the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, which requires public officers to disclose all assets.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and Amnesty International Nigeria have asked President Bola Tinubu to order the withdrawal of criminal charges filed against activist Omoyele Sowore, as well as the social media platforms X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, over alleged anti-Tinubu posts.

Portable Is More Reliable With Secrets Than Wike” Deji Adeyanju Says Ex-Governor Lacks Intergrity.

Nigerian lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has taken a swipe at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in a series of Facebook posts on Thursday.

Adeyanju sparked reactions after comparing controversial street-hop artist Portable to Wike, claiming the singer is more trustworthy and better at keeping secrets.

“Portable keeps secrets more than Wike and has more integrity. Whoever does anything with Wike is doing so at a market square. Tinubu’s day is coming,” he wrote.

In another post, Adeyanju described Wike as unfit for leadership, calling him a “bloody clown” who “always sounds drunk.”

He argued that only in Nigeria could someone like Wike hold public office, contrasting the situation with the United States where citizens openly criticise leaders like Donald Trump.

“It’s only in a country like Nigeria that clowns like Wike can hold public office. American citizens call Trump different names everyday. Wike is a bloody clown who always sound drunk ,” Adeyanju said.

His comments came in reaction to a statement by activist Omoyele Sowore, who alleged that Wike had suggested President Bola Tinubu should have had him assassinated for calling him a criminal.

Sowore wrote: “I heard that the FCT’s drunkard–murderer Minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike – CON, GSSRS, said Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu should have assassinated me for calling him a criminal.

You are lucky Pres. Tinubu believes in the rule of law — Nyesom Wike  fires at Sowore Over his Tinubu ‘Criminal’ Remark.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has criticised activist and AAC presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, for describing President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”

On August 25, Sowore wrote on X: “This criminal @officialpbat actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”

The DSS later filed charges against him for defamation, accusing him of making “false” statements that violate Nigeria’s Cybercrimes and Terrorism Prevention laws. The agency also asked X and Meta to delete the post, calling it a threat to national security. Sowore refused, describing the DSS action as “despicable.”

Supporters under the Simplified Movement thronged Government House, Port Harcourt, from 6 a.m., bringing drums, flutes, and dance troupes in a show of solidarity. 

They included sacked local government chairmen and former factional Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo. The crowd blocked Nnamdi Azikiwe Road, causing gridlock, but dispersed by midday when Fubara failed to show.

Fubara’s absence has fueled speculation. During the emergency period, he reportedly attended a peace meeting with Wike and Assembly members at Tinubu’s behest. 

According to TheCable, insiders said conditions included Fubara abandoning a second-term bid in 2027 and ceding power to Wike to nominate all 23 LGA chairmen. Although council polls were held last month, Fubara neither participated nor commented.

UPDATED: DSS Sues Sowore, X, Meta Over Post About Tinubu
The DSS had on September 8, handed Sowore a one-week ultimatum to delete what it described as a ‘false, malicious, and inciting’ social media post about President Tinubu.

Sowore Alleges Obasanjo Was Sworn in Without Constitution in 1999

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has made a controversial claim about the swearing-in of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999.

Speaking in an interview with Rock Yusuf TV, Sowore alleged that when Obasanjo assumed office as Nigeria’s civilian president, there was no constitution in existence at the time of the ceremony.

According to him, the then Minister of Information reportedly admitted that not even a photocopy of the constitution was available during the inauguration.

“When Obasanjo was sworn in as president in 1999, there was no constitution,” Sowore stated. “Not even a photocopy existed. After the swearing-in, they went ahead to print what later became the 1999 Constitution—which, in my view, is now obsolete.”

Sowore insisted that this revelation raises serious questions about the legitimacy of the 1999 Constitution, which has since guided Nigeria’s democratic governance.

The activist argued that Obasanjo’s swearing-in was conducted out of necessity to facilitate the transition to civilian rule, but without a binding constitutional framework at that moment.

Oscar Keana Threatens To “Get Rid” Of Sowore Over Tinubu Criticism, Urges Seyi Tinubu To Hand Him “Dirty Job”

A viral video has surfaced showing political jobber Oscar Keana issuing violent threats against human rights activist Omoyele Sowore after Sowore described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”

In the clip, Keana repeatedly invoked Seyi Tinubu, urging him to either silence Sowore himself or hand over the “dirty job” to him and his men.

“If the police cannot do the job, we can do the job,” Keana declared, warning that he and his allies were prepared to “get rid” of the activist.

The video, laced with insults and accusations, saw Keana brand Sowore a “murderer” who allegedly misled youths during the #EndSARS protests, claiming his actions led to deaths in Lagos and Abuja.

The threats have sparked outrage online, with critics warning that such incitement endangers free speech and raises fresh concerns about political violence in Nigeria.

#Sowore #OscarKeana #Nigeria

Tinubu Loyalists Plot Attack On Sowore In Secret Meeting With Governor.

Two loyalists of President Bola Tinubu, with the involvement of a state governor, allegedly held a secret virtual meeting where they vowed to attack and “demobilise” SaharaReporters publisher and activist Omoyele Sowore for criticising Tinubu. The meeting, which reportedly took place ahead of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, shifted focus from UNGA preparations to Sowore, whom the loyalists accused of “rubbishing their leader.”

Sources revealed that the loyalists threatened to physically harm Sowore if the Department of State Services (DSS) failed to act against him. This comes after the DSS petitioned both X (formerly Twitter) and Meta to deactivate Sowore’s accounts over posts critical of the president.

Sowore, a long-time critic of successive Nigerian governments, has faced repeated arrests and intimidation but has vowed not to retract his comments.

#Tinubu #Sowore #Nigeria

Secret Police @OfficialDSSNG reportedly gives Sowore a one-week ultimatum to retract posts criticising President Tinubu.

ME: Even if @OfficialDSSNG extends the deadline till the end of Tinubu’s tenure in 2027, I will NOT withdraw my statement — for I believe his tenure will not last beyond 2027

BREAKING: DSS Gives Sowore One-Week Ultimatum Over Post On President Bola Tinubu.

DSS warned that failure by Sowore to comply with its demands will force it to “explore all lawful means” to protect national security and public order.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has written to Meta, parent company of Facebook, demanding the immediate takedown of activist Omoyele Sowore’s page and posts, which it described as “defamatory and dangerous.”

#DSS #Meta #Sowore