Cybercrime trial: Sowore moves to subpoena Onanuga, DSS DG

Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja for time to obtain subpoenas compelling the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, to testify in his ongoing cybercrime and criminal defamation trial.

The request was made during Wednesday’s proceedings after a prosecution witness, DSS official Uwem Davies, told the court that he acted on the directive of the agency’s Director-General when he wrote a letter directing Sowore to remove social media posts concerning President Bola Tinubu.

Counsel to the defendant, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), argued that the witness was unable to answer key questions during cross-examination, making it necessary for the court to hear directly from the DSS Director-General.

“We intend to apply for a subpoena to compel the Director-General of the DSS to appear before this Honourable Court, following issues raised during the witness’s testimony,” Olumide-Fusika told the court.

The defence also informed the court that an earlier attempt to subpoena presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga was unsuccessful after court bailiffs were unable to serve him with the necessary court processes.

While testifying under subpoena, Davies confirmed that he authored a letter dated January 22 directing Sowore to delete certain social media posts.

“I wrote the letter on the instruction of the Director-General because the publications were considered capable of creating tension,” the DSS official told the court.

However, Davies denied authoring another letter dated September 7, 2025, addressed to Meta, insisting that it was written by retired DSS officer B. Bamigboye.

Following the proceedings, the court adjourned the matter until July 28 for the continuation of the defence’s case.