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DSS Arraigns Man for Allegedly Inciting Coup in Nigeria

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A 27-year-old Rivers State resident, Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, is facing a six-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly calling for a military coup to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Nigeria’s secret police claims Onukwume, operating from Oyigbo, published the inciting statement on his X account (@theagroman) in October.

The DSS charges, filed by A. M. Danalami on November 11 before the Federal High Court in Abuja (FHC/ABJ/CR/610/2025), state that Onukwume specifically sought help for the military to execute the coup.

He is identified in court documents as residing at Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo LGA.

In one of his tweets, Onukwume said “A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigeria government and join the AES. That is all we need now.”

In another tweet, he said: “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 secret police said by his tweets, Onukwume committed offences contrary to and punishable under Sections 46 A (1) and 59 (1) of the Criminal Code Act as well as Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (As Amended).

Onukwume, who was arrested in Port Harcourt by operatives of the DSS in October, may be arraigned before the end of the week.

According to officials of the secret police, his arrest followed intelligence monitoring of online activities considered as threats to national security.

Some of the charges filed against him read: “That you, Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, male, 27 years old of Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State, sometimes in October, 2025 having the intent to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturbing the public peace, posted a message calling for a coup in Nigeria on your social media account to wit: your verified X account (@theagroman), by which you published the following words: “A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigeria government and join the AES. That is all we need now.’ You thereby committed an offence punishable under section 59 (1) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap 77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That you, Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, male, 27 years old of Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State, on or about 15th day of October, 2025 and within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, with intent to cause annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, enmity, criminal intimidation, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety, against the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, knowingly and intentionally posted a message on the social media via your verified account, to wit: your verified X account (@theagroman), by which you published the following words: ‘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.’ You thereby committed an offence Contrary to Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (As Amended).

“That you, Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, male, 27 years old of Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State, on or about 15th day of October, 2025 and within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, with intent to cause annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, enmity, criminal intimidation, hatred, ill will, or needless anxiety, against the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, knowingly and intentionally posted a message on the social media via your verified account, to wit: your verified X account| (@theagroman), by which you published the following words: “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.’ You thereby committed an offence Contrary to Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (As Amended).

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