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A federal high court in Lagos on Tuesday remanded Paul Jibrin Oweleke in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged cybercrime offences linked to social media broadcasts that allegedly called for overthrow of President Bola Tinubu.
Oweleke was arraigned on two-count charge bordering on alleged incitement and the use of a computer system to disseminate content considered prejudicial to national security and constitutional governance.
The DSS alleged that Oweleke published posts on his online platform known as “Oweleke TV”, urging the Nigerian military to remove Tinubu from office in a manner similar to takeovers in some West African countries.
The DSS said the broadcasts were capable of inciting public disorder and promoting disaffection against the government, which will undermine the country’s democracy.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following his plea, counsel for the DSS urged the court to remand the defendant pending the commencement of trial.
However, defence counsel informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution.
Subsequently, Akintoye Aluko, the presiding judge, adjourned the matter to June 16 for the hearing of the bail application.
The judge also ordered that the defendant be remanded in DSS custody pending the determination of the bail application.
The development comes barely two months after the federal government arraigned six suspects over allegations of plotting a coup to oust Tinubu.
