The Department of State Services (DSS) has charged a 27-year-old man, identified as Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, for allegedly advocating a military coup against Nigeria’s democratic government. The secret police accused Onukwume of using social media platforms to incite the military to overthrow the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu, describing his comments as a direct threat to national security and the country’s democratic stability.
According to reports, the DSS filed a six-count charge against Onukwume before a Federal High Court in Abuja. The agency alleged that the suspect’s online activities amounted to subversion and incitement capable of undermining the constitutional order. Court documents revealed that Onukwume was arrested after security operatives tracked his posts, which called for the “suspension” of the Nigerian government and the return of military rule.
The DSS maintained that such advocacy violated several provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the Criminal Code, which prohibit calls for the overthrow of a democratically elected government. It also insisted that freedom of speech does not cover statements or actions that can destabilise the country or threaten public peace.
In one of the charges, Onukwume was accused of making inciting statements on social media platforms where he allegedly urged the armed forces to take over power from the civilian government. The agency said the statements were made with the intention to cause disaffection and hatred against the Federal Government, adding that they could lead to public unrest if not addressed.
Sources within the DSS said the suspect was arrested in the Oyigbo area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after intelligence operatives monitored his activities online for weeks. He was reportedly apprehended without resistance and transferred to the DSS headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation. During the investigation, he was said to have admitted to posting the messages but claimed he did not intend to cause any harm or threaten national security.
However, the DSS insisted that his actions were deliberate and dangerous, warning that the agency would not tolerate any form of speech or conduct that could incite the military or the public against the government. “The call for a military takeover is an act of subversion and treason. It undermines the unity and peace of the nation. The DSS remains committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy and ensuring that individuals who promote instability face the full weight of the law,” a senior security source stated.
The case has since generated public reactions, with many Nigerians expressing differing opinions about the boundaries of free expression and national security. While some argue that the suspect’s comments were reckless and deserving of punishment, others have called for leniency, insisting that the government must distinguish between legitimate criticism and incitement.
Human rights advocates have also weighed in, calling on the DSS and the judiciary to ensure that Onukwume’s trial is conducted in line with due process. A lawyer and constitutional analyst, Barrister Samson Adebayo, noted that although Nigeria’s laws prohibit treasonable advocacy, the government must ensure that prosecutions do not turn into tools for silencing dissent. “National security is important, but democracy also thrives on free speech. It’s a delicate balance that the courts must uphold,” he said.
Nigeria has had a long and difficult history with military coups, having experienced several regime changes between 1966 and 1999 before the return to civilian rule. Since then, the country has made efforts to strengthen its democratic institutions, with security agencies repeatedly warning against any attempt to undermine civil governance. The latest incident, analysts say, reflects the government’s increasing sensitivity to online content that appears to glorify or promote anti-democratic sentiments.
As the case proceeds, attention will turn to how the judiciary interprets the charges and what precedent the outcome may set for online speech in Nigeria. If convicted, Onukwume could face a lengthy prison sentence under laws related to treasonable offences.
Meanwhile, the DSS has reiterated its warning to Nigerians to be cautious about their online expressions, stressing that the agency will continue to monitor social media for content deemed capable of threatening national security. The trial is expected to resume in the coming weeks, with the court set to determine whether the accused will be granted bail.
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