A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the remand of a man, Paul Jibrin Oweleke, after the Department of State Services (DSS) brought him before the court over allegations of making broadcasts that called for the removal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through a military coup.
Oweleke was arraigned on Monday before Justice Akintoye Aluko on a two-count charge linked to alleged cybercrime offences.
The charges include making subversive broadcasts and transmitting messages said to threaten the President and endanger public peace.
According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly used his social media platform, known as “Oweleke TV,” to publish messages urging the military to overthrow the current administration. The DSS claimed that the broadcasts also encouraged an unconstitutional change of government similar to recent political events in Burkina Faso.
The security agency told the court that the messages were capable of creating public unrest, promoting disaffection against the government and causing a breakdown of law and order across the country.
When the matter came up, DSS counsel, Michael Olujobi Bajela, informed the court that the agency had filed a two-count charge and asked that it be read to the defendant.
After the charges were read, Oweleke pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution subsequently asked the court to remand him in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the commencement of trial.
Counsel to the defendant did not object to the request for a trial date but told the court that a bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution. He also indicated his readiness to argue the application.
However, the DSS lawyer said he had only just received the application and needed time to study it and prepare a response.
After hearing both parties, Justice Aluko adjourned the case until June 16, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application. The court also directed that the defendant should remain in custody pending further proceedings.
Court documents showed that in the first count, Oweleke was accused of knowingly transmitting broadcasts on or about May 23, 2025, allegedly calling for a military coup against President Tinubu and encouraging an unconstitutional change of government.
The second count alleged that he sent messages through the same platform that threatened, harassed or intimidated the President, with the prosecution claiming that the broadcasts placed both the occupant and the office of the President in fear of violence or bodily harm.
The alleged offences were said to be contrary to provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended.
The defendant, however, denied all the allegations brought against him and is expected to pursue his bail application when the matter resumes.