The Department of State Services (DSS) has charged a 27-year-old man, Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, for allegedly calling for the overthrow of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government through a military coup.
Onukwume, who resides in Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, was arrested last month after security agents allegedly traced several social media posts to his X (formerly Twitter) account, where he reportedly urged soldiers to take over power from the current administration.
The case, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, is registered as FHC/ABJ/CR/610/2025. The DSS filed the charges on November 11 through its counsel, A. M. Danalami, accusing the young man of promoting the violent overthrow of a democratically elected government and inciting members of the Armed Forces to rebel against civil authority.
According to the charge sheet, Onukwume faces six counts, which include offences related to treasonable felony, incitement, and the use of cyberspace to threaten national security. The DSS cited Sections 46A(1) and 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act, as well as relevant provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (as amended).
The security agency stated that Onukwume used social media to “advocate for the unlawful suspension of the Nigerian government” and to encourage the military to seize power, which, if proven, could carry severe penalties under Nigerian law.
In one of his alleged posts on X, the DSS said, Onukwume wrote:
“A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian government and join the AES. That is all we need now.”
In another, he reportedly said:
“Tinubu has to go and APC has to die for Nigeria to have any semblance of normal life. And if you think your stupid votes can remove Tinubu, I’m here to tell you that you’re a fool.”
The DSS stated that such comments were not only reckless but also capable of inciting public disorder and encouraging military disloyalty.
Sources close to the investigation said Onukwume was arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in October after intelligence agents monitored his online activities for several weeks. He was then transferred to Abuja for further questioning before the DSS filed the formal charges.
The court is expected to begin proceedings later this week. As of Tuesday, it was unclear whether the accused had secured legal representation or been granted access to family members.
Officials of the DSS declined to comment publicly on the case, saying it was now before a competent court. However, a senior security source familiar with the matter described the action as a reminder that “freedom of speech in Nigeria does not include freedom to incite treason or call for unconstitutional change of government.”
Under Nigerian law, treasonable felony is one of the most serious offences against the state. Section 41 of the Criminal Code Act makes it a crime to attempt to overthrow or incite the overthrow of a sitting government by unlawful means. Conviction can attract a sentence of life imprisonment.
Similarly, the Cybercrimes Act, first enacted in 2015 and amended in 2024, criminalises the use of digital platforms to promote terrorism, incitement, hate speech, or any activity considered a threat to national security.
Nigeria has experienced several military coups since independence in 1960, with the last successful one occurring in 1993 when General Sani Abacha seized power after the annulment of the June 12 presidential election. Since 1999, however, the country has maintained continuous democratic rule — its longest period of civilian governance.
Calls for military coups, even on social media, are taken seriously by security agencies, given West Africa’s recent wave of military takeovers. In the past three years, countries like Mali, Niger, Guinea, and Burkina Faso have experienced coups that toppled elected governments.
The coup in Niger Republic in July 2023 particularly drew concern from Nigeria, which shares a long border and close economic ties with the country. President Tinubu, as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the time, led diplomatic efforts to pressure the Niger junta to restore democracy.
Since that period, Nigerian authorities have reportedly increased surveillance of online spaces for content that could encourage anti-democratic sentiments or glorify coups.
While the DSS has not released an official statement, the case has sparked discussion online. Some social media users say the arrest is excessive and raises questions about free speech, while others believe such public statements can destabilise the country if left unchecked.
As the case proceeds, Nigerians will be watching how the court interprets the fine line between freedom of expression and incitement to treason.
For now, the DSS maintains that Onukwume’s alleged statements crossed that line, describing them as a “direct threat to constitutional order and national stability.”
Court proceedings are expected to begin in Abuja later this week, where the DSS will formally present its evidence. If found guilty, Onukwume could face a lengthy prison sentence under existing Nigerian laws on treasonable felony and cyber incitement.
The case highlights how digital platforms continue to play a growing role in Nigeria’s political discourse — and how security agencies are responding to what they consider threats to the democratic process.
