Court Remands Man Over Social Media Broadcasts Calling for Coup Against President Tinubu

A Federal High Court in Lagos has remanded Paul Jibrin Oweleke in DSS custody over alleged cybercrime offences linked to social media broadcasts that called for the overthrow of President Bola Tinubu.

Oweleke was arraigned on a two‑count charge of incitement and using a computer system to disseminate content prejudicial to national security. The DSS alleged he urged the military to remove Tinubu, similar to takeovers in other West African countries. He pleaded not guilty. The court adjourned until June 16 for the bail hearing.

Key Points:

Calls for military intervention threaten Nigeria’s democratic stability and constitutional order.
Social media platforms can be used to incite public disorder, leading to legal consequences.
The defendant’s remand signals the government’s intolerance of any rhetoric encouraging unconstitutional regime change.

This is the second such case in two months, indicating heightened security scrutiny of anti‑government broadcasts.

A balance between free speech and national security remains a delicate legal issue.

The bail application will be heard on June 16; the defendant remains in DSS custody until then.

Sources: The Cable, Vanguard