A counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Fidelis Adedipe, has faulted human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, over his alleged defamatory statement against President Bola Tinubu.
Adedipe, who spoke on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Thursday, said there was a thin line between freedom of expression and committing an offence.
He said Sowore crossed the line by allegedly describing the President as “a criminal” in posts on his and Facebook accounts.
Adedipe said, “Mr Sowore actually crossed the line. He tweeted, calling the president a criminal, and that is a joke taken a bit too far.
“You may not like the occupant of the office of the president, but the office ought to be respected. He was asked to take down the tweet, which he refused.”
CityNews understands that Sowore is being prosecuted by the DSS over allegations that he made false claims against Tinubu.
A Federal High Court in Abuja recently granted him bail in the sum of ₦200 million.
According to the court, one of the sureties must be a traditional ruler from Sowore’s community. The other surety must own a property in Abuja.
Sowore is to deposit his travel documents with the deputy registrar of the court.
