The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a six-count criminal charge against a 27-year-old man, identified as Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, for allegedly using his verified social media account to advocate for a military takeover of the Nigerian government. The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/610/2025, was officially lodged before the Federal High Court in Abuja by the DSS counsel, A. M. Danalami, on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
According to court filings, Onukwume, who hails from Umusayo Layout in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, allegedly made a post in October 2025 on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, @theagroman, calling for a coup in Nigeria. The DSS said the online message was capable of inciting public unrest and undermining national stability. The post reportedly read: “A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigeria government and join the AES. That is all we need now.”
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The DSS maintained that the social media post was not only reckless but also intended to cause fear, alarm, and disturbance of public peace. The agency accused the suspect of deliberately promoting hate and enmity against the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through digital communication, in violation of several sections of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024, and the Criminal Code Act, Cap 77.
In the charge sheet, the DSS alleged that Onukwume used the internet to spread messages that could lead to the disruption of law and order, criminal intimidation, and potential public disobedience. The agency stated that his comments were capable of inciting others to take actions that threaten Nigeria’s constitutional democracy and public safety. The DSS described his conduct as a clear abuse of social media freedom.
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The prosecution further claimed that Onukwume’s post was shared multiple times and gained traction among online users, amplifying its potential danger. The DSS argued that such online agitation for a coup was a direct threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty, especially at a time when the government is battling misinformation, political tension, and regional insecurity. It also accused him of attempting to create unnecessary anxiety within the public sphere through inflammatory speech.
Legal experts note that if found guilty, the accused could face severe penalties under both the Cybercrimes Act and the Criminal Code, which criminalize statements that promote sedition, subversion, or the overthrow of an elected government. The DSS’s action signals a tougher stance against online incitement and underscores the agency’s resolve to safeguard national security in the digital era.
No date has yet been fixed for Onukwume’s arraignment before the Federal High Court in Abuja. However, sources within the legal community disclosed that preliminary hearings may begin before the end of November. The DSS is expected to present digital forensic evidence of the post and screenshots of the X account activity as part of its case.
This development comes amid rising concerns about the use of social media for political agitation in Nigeria. Authorities have repeatedly warned that citizens’ online expressions must remain within the boundaries of lawful free speech, cautioning against any rhetoric that could incite violence or destabilize the nation. The case is seen as a test of how far Nigeria’s cybercrime laws can go in addressing politically sensitive digital offenses.
Observers believe the trial will reignite debates on the thin line between freedom of expression and national security. While some rights activists insist that government agencies must not weaponize cybercrime laws against dissenting opinions, others argue that posts openly calling for coups or the suspension of democratic institutions cannot be justified under the guise of free speech.
As the DSS prepares its case, Nigerians are watching closely to see how the judiciary interprets this delicate balance between constitutional rights and the protection of democratic governance. The outcome of the trial could set a major precedent for future online speech regulation and enforcement of cyber-related offenses in the country.
