Abuja, November 12, 2025
The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a six-count criminal charge against a 27-year-old man, Innocent Onukwume, for allegedly calling for a coup in Nigeria through a post on his verified social media account.
The case, filed as FHC/ABJ/CR/610/2025, was brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 11, 2025, by DSS counsel A. M. Danalami. The DSS alleged that Onukwume, of Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo Local Government Area, Rivers State, committed the offence in October 2025.
According to the DSS, the coup-related message posted on X (formerly Twitter) had the intent to incite fear and disrupt public order.
The suspect reportedly wrote:
“A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigeria government and join the AES. That is all we need now.”
The agency said the post violated provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (as amended) and the Criminal Code Act, Cap 77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The DSS stated that the coup message constituted an act of incitement and a threat to national peace and security.
Onukwume, who is the sole defendant in the case, is expected to be arraigned within the week.
The DSS reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding national stability, warning that online speech capable of inciting violence or promoting a coup would be prosecuted under the law. Visit GMTNewsng for more news.
