DSS Screening of SAN Designates Sparks Outrage as Sowore Declares ‘Nigeria is Down’

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has strongly criticized the Department of State Services (DSS) over reports alleging that the security agency has begun screening newly appointed Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs).

Sowore’s condemnation came in a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, where he described the move as another sign of the collapse of Nigeria’s justice system and a broader weakening of democratic institutions in the country.

The development follows concerns earlier raised by a respected legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN), who, on Monday, publicly expressed alarm at the reported DSS involvement in the SAN elevation process.

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Akinboro Raises Alarm Over DSS Role

According to Akinboro, subjecting lawyers seeking elevation to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria to security clearance undermines the independence of the legal profession. He argued that such a practice was not only unconstitutional but also a deliberate attempt to interfere in judicial processes and compromise the integrity of Nigeria’s legal community.

“This type of interference is illegal, a direct intrusion into the affairs of the judiciary, and amounts to truncating the independence of our legal profession,” Akinboro reportedly stated, urging stakeholders to resist what he described as a dangerous precedent.

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Sowore: “Nigeria Is Down”

Reacting sharply to the development, Sowore lamented the state of affairs in Nigeria, stressing that many citizens and institutions have surrendered to systemic weaknesses and oppression.

“Nigerians, at nearly every level, have capitulated, weighed down by the sheer force of their individual and collective weaknesses,” he wrote.

He further added:

“The collapse of courage and conviction is everywhere you look. Imagine the @OfficialDSSNG now screening Senior Advocates of Nigeria. The so-called guardians of justice are reduced to seeking clearance from the very instruments of oppression. C’est fini. Nigeria is down!”

Sowore’s remarks reflect growing frustration among activists and civil society groups who argue that Nigeria’s democratic institutions are under threat due to excessive state interference and authoritarian tendencies.

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DSS Silent on Allegations

As of the time of filing this report, the Department of State Services had neither confirmed nor denied the allegation that it is screening SAN designates. The agency has remained tight-lipped, fueling further speculation and criticism from the legal community.

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Background: LPPC’s SAN Elevation Process

It will be recalled that in July 2025, the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) released a list of 57 Nigerian lawyers shortlisted for elevation to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. The title, which represents the highest recognition of excellence and distinction in legal practice, is awarded to lawyers who have demonstrated outstanding advocacy, character, and professional contributions to the legal field.

The fresh controversy over DSS involvement raises critical questions about the sanctity of this process and the broader issue of judicial independence in Nigeria.