Court Sends ‘Oweleke TV’ Operator Back to Court Over Alleged Coup‑Calling Statements

Wale Igbintade

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered that Paul Jibrin Oweleke, the operator of Oweleke TV, be remanded into custody after he was arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on accusations that he urged the military to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Oweleke appeared before Justice Akintoye Aluko yesterday on a two‑count charge that borders on alleged cybercrime offences, including making subversive broadcasts and transmitting messages that threaten the president and undermine public order.

The charge alleges that Oweleke used his social media platform, “Oweleke TV,” to spread calls for a military coup to remove President Tinubu and to recreate the political situation in Burkina Faso through unconstitutional means.

The DSS claims the broadcasts were intended to incite the Nigerian public, foster disaffection against the government, and provoke a breakdown of law and order in the country.

These alleged offences contravene Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

At the start of the proceedings, DSS prosecutor Michael Olujobi Bajela informed the court that the agency had filed a two‑count charge against the defendant and requested that the charges be read so he could take his plea.

After the charges were read, Oweleke pleaded not guilty to both counts.

The prosecution then asked the court to set a trial date and to remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the outcome of the case.

The defendant’s counsel did not oppose the request for a trial date but informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution. He said he was ready to move the application immediately.

Responding, Bajela acknowledged receipt of the bail application but said it had been served on him shortly before the court session and that he needed time to review the application and file an appropriate response.

After hearing both parties, Justice Aluko adjourned the matter to June 16, 2026, for the hearing of the defendant’s bail application and ordered that he remain in custody pending further proceedings.

In the first count, Oweleke is accused of knowingly transmitting broadcasts through “Oweleke TV” on or about May 23, 2025, allegedly calling for a military coup against President Tinubu and encouraging an unconstitutional change of government.

The second count alleges that he knowingly transmitted messages through the same platform that threatened, harassed, or intimidated the president, thereby placing both the occupant and the Office of the President in fear of death, violence, or bodily harm.

The defendant denied all allegations.