The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a six-count criminal charge against 27-year-old Innocent Onukwume for allegedly inciting a coup through a post on social media.
According to court documents filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Onukwume, a resident of Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, is accused of using his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, @theagroman, to publish content capable of inciting public disorder and threatening national security.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/610/2025, was filed on November 11, 2025, by DSS counsel A.M. Danalami. The agency alleged that the defendant committed the offences in October 2025, in violation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (as amended), and other relevant laws.
In one of the charges, the DSS claimed that Onukwume posted the following message on his X account:
“A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian government and join the AES. That is all we need now.”
The agency said the post was intended to cause fear, alarm, and public unrest, constituting an offence punishable under Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap 77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, among other provisions.
The DSS further stated that Onukwume’s conduct amounted to an attempt to incite violence and undermine constitutional governance, noting that such online actions pose serious threats to the country’s peace and stability.
Sources at the court disclosed that the defendant is expected to be arraigned within the week, with proceedings to determine whether he will be granted bail pending trial.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the DSS has recently intensified efforts to track and prosecute individuals using digital platforms to promote subversive activities or spread misinformation capable of destabilizing the country.
If convicted, Onukwume faces severe penalties under Nigeria’s cybercrime and criminal laws.
