Human rights activist and SaharaReporters publisher Omoyele Sowore has filed a ₦5 billion lawsuit against the Department of State Services (DSS), its Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, a deputy director of the agency, Benjamin Bulus, and the Attorney-General of the Federation over an alleged attack and abduction within the Federal High Court premises in Abuja.

The suit, filed on October 13, 2026, is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2480/2026. It seeks to enforce Sowore’s fundamental rights to dignity and personal liberty under Sections 34 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

According to a statement by his lawyer, Peter Femi Joseph of FEMJOE & Associates, the lawsuit concerns an incident that allegedly occurred on June 22, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Sowore is seeking aggravated damages of ₦5 billion over the incident.

Sowore Alleges Assault by DSS Operatives

According to the legal action, Sowore was at the court premises following an order by Justice Mohammed Garba Umar directing his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

The order was issued pending the hearing and determination of his application seeking a stay of the decision revoking his bail and the bench warrant issued against him.

Sowore alleged that while he was waiting for correctional officers to arrive and implement the remand order, armed and hooded DSS operatives stormed the fourth floor of the court building.

He claimed the operatives physically assaulted him and forcibly moved him to the basement of the building using elevators reserved for judges.

The activist further alleged that the operatives acted beyond the authority granted by the remand order and that he sustained injuries during the incident.

He argued that the order did not authorise security personnel to assault, intimidate or subject him to degrading treatment.

The allegations form part of the claims to be considered in the legal proceedings and have not been established by a court.

Smart Glasses Footage Submitted as Evidence

Sowore’s legal team said video footage recorded using Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses during the incident had been included among the materials submitted in support of the suit.

According to his counsel, the footage is intended to support Sowore’s account of the alleged assault and the conduct of the security operatives inside the court complex.

The lawsuit challenges the legality of the operatives’ actions and seeks judicial redress for the alleged violation of his constitutional rights.

₦5 Billion Compensation Sought

Through the suit, Sowore is asking the court to hold the defendants accountable for the alleged assault, forced removal and treatment he said he experienced.

The case names the DSS, its Director-General, the deputy director allegedly involved in the operation and the Attorney-General of the Federation as defendants.

The court will be expected to consider the claims and evidence presented by the parties before determining the issues raised in the suit.