The suit, filed on October 13, 2026, and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2480/2026, challenges the legality of the alleged operation by DSS operatives at the court premises on June 22, 2026.
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), human rights activist, and SaharaReporters publisher Omoyele Sowore has filed a ₦5 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Department of State Services (DSS), its Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and a DSS Deputy Director, Benjamin Bulus, over an alleged assault and abduction inside the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The suit, filed on October 13, 2026, and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2480/2026, challenges the legality of the alleged operation by DSS operatives at the court premises on June 22, 2026.
Sowore is asking the Federal High Court to hold that the alleged assault, forcible removal, intimidation and detention violated his constitutionally guaranteed rights to dignity and personal liberty.
According to the court processes, the incident occurred after Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered Sowore’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his application seeking a stay of the order revoking his bail and the bench warrant issued against him.
However, Sowore alleged that armed DSS operatives, including men and women wearing hoods, stormed the fourth floor of the court building while he was waiting for correctional officers to arrive and implement the remand order.
The activist alleged that the operatives physically assaulted him, forcibly removed him from the area and transported him against his will to the basement of the court complex using elevators reserved for Federal High Court judges.
The suit further alleges that Sowore sustained injuries during the incident.
He maintains that the remand order did not authorise the security operatives to assault him, forcibly remove him or subject him to degrading treatment within the court premises.
Sowore is asking the court to determine whether the DSS operatives acted outside the scope of the judicial order and whether their conduct violated his fundamental rights.
The suit names Ajayi, the DSS Director-General, and Bulus, a deputy director of the agency who Sowore alleges led the operation, among the respondents.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) is also listed as a respondent.
Sowore Relies On Video Recorded With Smart Glasses
A significant part of the case concerns video footage allegedly recorded during the incident using Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
According to the court processes, the recording forms part of the evidence Sowore intends to rely on to establish the circumstances of the alleged assault and the conduct of the operatives involved.
The footage is intended to show the sequence of events within the court premises and support his argument that the operation exceeded the authority granted by the remand order.
The filing states that the footage has been presented for the court’s consideration, subject to applicable rules on admissibility, authenticity and evidential weight.
The court is expected to determine the significance of the evidence in resolving the dispute.
Sowore argues that the recording provides visual evidence of what happened and supports his contention that the alleged operation was inconsistent with constitutional protections.
Suit Cites Constitutional Rights To Dignity, Liberty
The action invokes Sections 34 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended, which protect the dignity of the human person and the right to personal liberty.
Sowore contends that the alleged physical assault, forcible removal, intimidation and unlawful detention amounted to violations of those constitutional guarantees.
He is asking the court to determine the legality of the conduct and establish the respective responsibilities of the DSS, its Director-General, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Bulus.
The suit argues that a judicial remand order cannot be interpreted as authorising security operatives to assault or intimidate a defendant.
It also challenges the alleged use of force against him within a court complex, where judicial proceedings and the implementation of court orders are expected to be conducted in accordance with the law.
Among the reliefs sought is a declaration that the alleged conduct was unlawful and unconstitutional.
Sowore is also seeking appropriate injunctive and consequential orders, alongside any other relief the court considers justifiable.
Sowore Demands ₦5 Billion In Aggravated Damages
The activist is asking the Federal High Court to award him ₦5 billion in aggravated damages over what he describes in the suit as assault, abduction, humiliation, intimidation and violations of his fundamental rights.
The claim seeks to hold the respondents accountable for the alleged conduct of DSS operatives and establish whether the agency exceeded its lawful authority during the June 22 incident.
Sowore argues that the alleged actions represent an abuse of state power, particularly because they occurred within the premises of a Federal High Court.
The suit also raises questions about the limits of security agencies’ powers when carrying out judicial orders and the responsibility of government institutions to respect constitutional safeguards.
Sowore Recalls 2019 DSS Incident At Federal High Court
The suit also draws attention to a previous confrontation between Sowore and DSS operatives inside the Federal High Court in Abuja.
On December 6, 2019, DSS operatives attempted to rearrest the activist during proceedings before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu in connection with treason-related charges brought against him following the #RevolutionNow protests.
The incident attracted public condemnation and prompted scrutiny of security agencies’ conduct within judicial premises.
Sowore subsequently instituted legal proceedings against the DSS and obtained a judgment awarding damages against the agency.
His counsel, Peter Femi Joseph of FEMJOE & Associates, said the DSS had failed to comply with the monetary award made by Justice Egwuatu in that earlier case.
The latest suit raises the issue of accountability for alleged violations of fundamental rights by security operatives and compliance with court judgments against federal security agencies.
However, the new case concerns the alleged incident of June 22, 2026, and remains separate from the earlier proceedings.
Sowore Seeks Accountability From Security Agencies
In the filing, Sowore maintains that security agencies are bound by the Constitution and cannot rely on national security, executive authority or the existence of judicial proceedings to justify actions that violate fundamental rights.
The case asks the Federal High Court to examine whether the DSS operation was lawful, whether the conduct of the operatives breached constitutional protections and whether the named respondents should be held legally responsible.