The Department of State Services has filed a six-count charge against a 27-year-old man, Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, for allegedly using his social media account to call for a military takeover of the Nigerian government.
The charges, registered under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/610/2025, were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The DSS accused Onukwume of making inciting posts on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, @theagroman, in October 2025.
According to court documents signed by DSS counsel, A. M. Danalami, the defendant’s online statements encouraged the removal of the ruling All Progressives Congress, the suspension of the federal government, and support for military intervention in governance.
The security agency said the posts violated Sections 46A(1) and 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act, and Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (as amended).
Quoting from the alleged posts, the DSS stated that 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 post, he was said to have claimed, “It will happen eventually, Nigerians. The military needs your support now! Only they can save this country. The man in Aso Rock has basically sold this country to the West. Only the military can reset Nigeria.”
He also reportedly targeted President Bola Tinubu and the APC, saying, “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, you’re a fool.”
The DSS described the posts as “dangerous and capable of inciting public unrest,” warning that no individual would be allowed to threaten Nigeria’s democracy under the guise of free expression.
“Freedom of speech does not translate to freedom to incite treason or destabilize the state,” a senior DSS official said on condition of anonymity. “We will not tolerate any attempt to undermine national security.”
Onukwume, a resident of Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo Local Government Area, Rivers State, is expected to appear before the court later this week for arraignment.
The case comes weeks after reports surfaced about alleged coup plots by some military personnel—a claim the Defence Headquarters has since dismissed, insisting there was “no coup-related plan or detention within the Armed Forces.”
