By Peter Dansu The Department of State Services has dragged 27-year-old Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume before the Federal High Court in Abu...
By Peter Dansu
The Department of State Services has dragged 27-year-old Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume before the Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly calling for a military coup to oust President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
According to court filings under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/610/2025, the DSS accused Onukwume of using his verified X handle, @theagroman, to make posts in October 2025 that promoted the overthrow of the government and expressed support for military intervention in the country’s leadership.
In a six-count charge filed by DSS counsel A.M. Danalami, the agency alleged that Onukwume’s online statements 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).
Among the posts cited by the DSS was one that read, “A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian government and join the AES. That is all we need now.”
Another post reportedly said, “It will happen eventually, Nigerians. The military needs your support now. Only they can save this country. The man in Aso Rock has sold this nation to the West, and they now control our intelligence system. Only the military can reset Nigeria.”
He also allegedly wrote, “Tinubu has to go and APC has to die for Nigeria to have any semblance of normal life. If you think your votes can remove Tinubu, you’re a fool.”
The DSS said the repeated nature of the posts showed intent to incite public disorder and undermine the constitutional government.
Onukwume, who lives in Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, is expected to appear in court later this week to take his plea.
His arrest comes weeks after rumours circulated online about an alleged plan by some military officers to topple the Tinubu administration, claims that have since been dismissed by the Defence Headquarters as false.
The incident has, however, sparked fresh debate among Nigerians, with lawyers, civil society groups and retired military officers cautioning against any rhetoric or actions capable of destabilising the country’s democracy.
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