A group, the Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly (NEYGA), has called for the prosecution of politician and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Omoyele Sowore, over what it described as the alleged leaking of video clips from his ongoing court case involving the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a statement, the group claimed that the footage showed Sowore’s lawyer cross-examining a DSS operative in a cyberbullying suit brought against him by the secret police, and alleged that the circulation of the clip amounted to contempt of court and a potential breach of national security.

The group described the video as “a mockery of our judicial system and, above all, a breach of national security,” which it said could attract severe legal consequences if established in court.

According to the statement, the video, which the group alleged was leaked by Sowore, exposed the identity of a secret service agent, thereby potentially contravening provisions of the National Security Agencies Act (1986) and the Official Secrets Act (1962).

The statement was signed by the Assembly’s spokesperson, Alhaji Ibrahim Dan-Musa.

The group argued that in countries such as the United States, where Sowore previously lived, exposing the identity of a secret service agent could amount to a serious offence under the Intelligence Identities Protection Act.

“In Nigeria, revealing the identity of a secret service agent, who swore to an oath of secrecy, may amount to breaches of the National Security Agencies Act (1986) and the Official Secrets Act of 1962,” the group stated.

NEYGA further claimed that Sowore and his lawyer ought to have exercised caution, noting that while he is currently facing trial for alleged cyberbullying, the circulation of footage involving a DSS operative could expose him to additional legal scrutiny, subject to the court’s determination.

“Ignorance, they say, is not an excuse to breach the law. Personnel of the DSS are bound by a strict oath of secrecy to protect national security, official documents and classified information,” the group said.

The Assembly added that offences under the relevant laws could, upon conviction, attract lengthy prison terms, fines or other penalties as provided by statute.

The group also urged the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Mohammed Umar, to consider what it described as possible contempt arising from the circulation of the footage.

“This conduct by the defendant must not be left unchecked. We respectfully urge the court to take appropriate steps within the law,” the group stated.

In the about 12-minute video clip, which has circulated widely on social media, Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, was seen cross-examining a witness identified as a DSS operative. The clip also captured an objection by DSS counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, as well as a ruling by the trial judge.