Pat Stevens/
The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a six-count charge against a 27-year-old man, Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, for allegedly calling for a military coup in Nigeria through his social media posts.
According to court documents filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/610/2025, Onukwume, who hails from Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, is accused of publishing several posts on his verified X account, @theagroman, urging the military to overthrow the government.
The charge, dated November 11, 2025 and signed by A. M. Danalami on behalf of the DSS, stated that the alleged offences were committed in October 2025 and contravened Sections 46A(1) and 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap 77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (as amended).
In one of the counts, the DSS alleged that Onukwume posted the message: “A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian government and join the AES. That is all we need now.”
Another charge referenced a separate post that read: “It will happen eventually, Nigerian. The military needs your support now! Only them can save this country. The bastard in Aso Rock has basically sold this country to the West and they run our intelligence apparatus; only the military can reset this country.”
In a third instance, the accused allegedly wrote: “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, I’m here to tell you that you’re a fool.”
The DSS said the posts were intended to cause “fear, alarm, hatred and ill will” against the government and could incite public disorder.
Onukwume was arrested in Rivers State following intelligence monitoring of his online activities. He was later transferred to Abuja for investigation and prosecution.
The DSS noted that the accused would be arraigned before the end of the week.
The development follows repeated warnings by Nigeria’s intelligence and security agencies against online statements perceived to promote military intervention or undermine constitutional authority.
Analysts have observed a recent rise in social media agitation for coups across West Africa, following military takeovers in countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
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