Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has formally petitioned Meta Platforms Inc., urging the tech company to reject a request from Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) to deactivate the Facebook account of activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore. The DSS, also known as the State Security Service (SSS), had accused Sowore of posting content deemed defamatory and threatening to national security.

In the letter submitted to Meta, Effiong described the DSS’s demand as “unlawful, unconstitutional, and a threat to the right to freedom of expression.” He argued that the legal provisions cited by the DSS—including sections of Nigeria’s Criminal Code, Cybercrime Act, and Terrorism Prevention Act—were irrelevant and inapplicable to the case.

Effiong emphasized that the referenced post did not violate Meta’s Community Standards and that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom the DSS was allegedly defending, had not initiated any legal action against Sowore. “If he feels that he has a reputation capable of being defamed, Mr. Tinubu ought to seek legal redress in court and put his character to the test,” the letter stated.

The petition further criticized the DSS for acting beyond its mandate, describing the agency’s actions as “sycophantic” and aimed at “massaging the ego of the Nigerian President.” Effiong warned that complying with the request would set a dangerous precedent and embolden future crackdowns on dissenting voices.

The DSS had reportedly demanded that Meta deactivate Sowore’s Facebook account within 24 hours, citing national security concerns. However, legal experts and civil society groups have condemned the move as an abuse of power and a violation of constitutional rights.

Effiong concluded by urging Meta to uphold its commitment to freedom of expression and resist what he called “an egregious effort to undermine Nigeria’s democratic journey”.