The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Department of State Security (DSS)

  • Nasarawa youths demand release of Peace Corps boss

    The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has called for the release of the National Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria, Mr Dickson Akoh.

    The Chairman of the council in Nasarawa State, Mr Mohammed Bako, made the appeal on Thursday at news conference in Lafia.

    Bako criticised the recent attack on the headquarters of corps in by the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Security (DSS).

    He also condemned the subsequent arrest of the national commandant of the corps and other principal officers of the organisation by the security operatives.

    “This ugly incident by the Nigeria police and DSS is coming on peak of the passing of the Bill of the Nigerian Peace Corps by the National Assembly. The bill is only awaiting presidential assent.

    “Peace Corps is a Voluntary Youths Organisation (VYO-NGO) affiliated to the National Youth Council of Nigeria with the primary aims and objectives of training the teeming youths of Nigeria in civil education and duties, volunteerism and community service for the nation’s benefit.

    “Instead of the police to seek for collaboration with the Peace Corps in bridging the gap of insecurity in the country, they instead engaged on this illegal action of closing the Peace Corps office and detaining their principal officers.

    “This development is unprovoked, unwarranted and therefore illegal, and hence generating undue animosity between the Peace Corps, the police, DSS and therefore condemnable.

    “It is in view of the above that the Youth Council in Nasarawa state is calling on well-meaning Nigerians and indeed the youths to appeal to Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari, to append his signature to the bill and finally put to rest this controversy,” he said.

    According to him, the bill will go long way in enhancing peaceful co-existence, help in augmenting the efforts of security agencies as well as fight the high rate of unemployment and crime in the country, if signed into law, among other benefits.

    Bako explained that the bill would avail employment opportunity to the army of unemployed youths across all states and local government areas of the federation been the change mantra of the present administration on job creation.

    He called on its members in the state to be wary of a certain organisation called National Unity and Peace Corps, pointing out that it is not the same as the Peace Corps and it is not known to the council.

    The state youth council chairman also called on Nigerians especially youths to live in peace; be law abiding, respect constituted authority, vigilant, responsible and productive in the support of genuine efforts towards nation building.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Akoh and other principal officers at the organisation headquarter in Abuja were arrested on Feb. 28, by a combined team of security operatives.

    Akoh, who is facing trial on alleged conspiracy and extortion, was also accused of using unauthorised uniforms and training facilities.

     

  • Court grants Justice Ademola’s application

    Court grants Justice Ademola’s application

    A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja on Monday granted Justice Adeniyi Ademola his application for abridgement of time for an accelerated hearing.

    Ademola and wife Mrs Olabowale were arraigned by the Federal Government on an 11-count charge of criminal conspiracy to receive gratification in various ways contrary to section 8(1)(a) of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and other related Offences Act 2000.

    Recall that Justice Ademola was among the seven Justices investigated after the sting operations carried out on Oct. 8 and 9 by the Department of State Security (DSS).

    The Judge, Justice Jude Okeke granted them bail on Dec. 13, after hearing the applications of motion on notice from their counsel, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and Chief Roberts Clarke (SAN), respectively.

    Okeke admitted them to bail in the sum of N50 million each and on self-recognition and ordered that they deposit their international passports pending the conclusion of the trial.

    At the resumed hearing on Monday, Ademola’s counsel told the court that they filed a motion dated Dec. 16 for abridgement of time for an accelerated hearing of the case.

    He said this was in pursuant to the provisions of Section 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

    The prosecuting counsel, Mr Segun Jegede, did not object to the motion but informed the court that he would file an amended charge to bring in a third defendant, Mr Joe Agi (SAN).

    The matter was originally adjourned until Jan. 18, for trial.

    The judge, Justice Jude Okeke after hearing from both counsel granted the motion for abridgement of time.

    “The matter is adjourned to January 11 for plea and further arraignment in the event that the prosecution files a fresh charge,” he said.

    He also adjourned till January 16, for the commencement of trial.

  • Ibadan Chief wants arrested judges tried, jailed

    Ibadan Chief wants arrested judges tried, jailed

    • Applauds onslaught on judges

    An Olubadan traditional Chief, Baale Ekotedo, Chief Taye Ayorinde on Friday applauded the steps taken by men of the Department of State Security (DSS) to  arrest alleged corrupt judges, and called for immediate trial of the judges to serve as deterrent to other judicial officers in the country  .

    The 82 year old chief who wondered over the frightening discovery in the home of the judges said the best method to apprehend the judges was employed by the DSS and no one should condemn the security agents .

    Chief Ayorinde, a seasoned media practitioner bared his mind in a chat with The Nation in his Ekotedo, Ibadan residence.

    He stated that the conduct of the judges was not only  unexpected of a judge, but shocking and awesome .

    Rather than condemning the method of arrest, he argued that Nigerians must join hands together to fight corruption with a view to wiping out the cankerworm in the fabrics of the country.

    He said “All men are equal before God. And there is no judge in Nigeria that has immunity and there is no judge that is above the law and here are judges who were suppose to be the conscience keeper of the public and now they are the accuser of that same conscience.

    “Some people have been saying should they have been arrested, my answer is categorically YES . They should not only be arrested, they should be nicely disgraced.

    “Are they not the same judges that judge the case of Tafa Balogun, the top most man in the police sector in Nigeria, former Inspector General of Police who was been dragged on the street . He was handcuffed , they judged him and for me they are not above the law. They should even be taken to a Magistrate Court especially the one from Supreme Court where a junior Judge will judge his case.

    “We were all here when  mismanagement of some cases were done. We had another Judge in the case of Senator Ladoja . It was one Judge that delivered judgment on the things they did at D’Rovans Hotel where they sacked a sitting Governor and made Eleweomo, a motor boy, the Speaker of the House and the Judge said it was okay . What kind of judgment was that. They turned Nigeria to a jungle of irresponsibility.

    “But for the other Judge, Yusuf no matter what they did to bribe her to make her change the case ,she refused. That is a Judge .Can you imagine the PDP case, one Judge of the same High Court  delivered a ruling  and another High Court Judge on the same day ruled otherwise . Corruption has eaten deep into the fabrics of the country.

    “And not until the whole thing changes ,like Buhari said, let it start with me. Now, am saying not only with me because people know me for being blunt. I don’t say things I believe to be untrue , I say things that are true and no matter where you check it out ,they find it to be true. Why should they be found wanting in the job they swore an oath.”

    Over the years, he noted that judges have shown that the nation’s judiciary was a house of corruption, adding that rather being a place of concealment for the common man, the judiciary had been a place of robbery.

  • Reps to investigate arrest of Judges

    Reps to investigate arrest of Judges

    The House of Representatives Tuesday resolved to investigate the arrest of judges by the Department of State Security (DSS).

    The resolution of the House was sequel to a motion moved under Matters of Urgent National Importance by a member, Kingsley Chinda ( PDP, Rivers State).

    Chinda said though corrupt people should not be shielded and bribe taking and misconduct should not be condoned in any form, all actions taken to prevent financial crime most be carried out with reference to the rule of Law.

    His words: “We can’t talk about democracy and civil rule without observing the Rule of Law”, he said, adding that the provisions of Sections 153 (1) I and Part 1 of the Third Scheduled the 1999 Constitution established the National Judicial Council (NJC) with the authority to regulate and discipline judicial officers.

    Chinda cited Sections 2, 3 and 6 of the National Agencies Act 1986 saying it precludes the DSS from handling cases of corruption and abuse of office.

    He criticized what he described as a growing trend by which the DSS went beyond its constitutionally dictated role by conducting raids in the Akwa-Ibom State government house, the  Ekiti State and Zamfara State  Houses of Assembly.

    He urged the House to question the constitutional provision from which the DSS drew powers to delve into allegations of corruption and misconduct levelled against the judges.

    The motion however, did not go down well with a member, Mojeed Alabi (APC Osun) who interrupted by raising a point of order under matters of privilege. According to Alabi, Section 4,5,6 of the constitution guarantees separation of powers and that the matter shpuld not have been brought before the House.

    But supporters of the motion shouted him down, calling on his to sit down. Alabi’s efforts to get protection from the Speaker, Yakubu Digara even was turned down.

    Speaker said: “Hon. Mojeed I cannot protect you. If you disagree with it you have to come by way of a substantive motion.

    Alabi insisted that his privilege as a member had been infringed by the consideration of a motion on a matter which he said was beyond the powers of the House.

    But Dogara saiid the motion only seeks to call for an investigation ion where the DSS got the power to raid the homes of the judges as part of investigations into alleged corruption. He thereafter ruled that the motion be heard.

    Chinda maintained that though corruption, bribe taking and misconduct should not be condoned in any form, all actions taken to prevent financial crime must be carried out with reference to the Rule of Law.

    “We can’t talk about democracy and civil rule without observing the Rule of Law”, he said, adding that the provisions of Sections 153 (1) I and Part 1 of the Third Scheduled of the 1999 Constitution established the National Judicial Council (NJC) with the authority to regulate and discipline judicial officers.

    He cited Sections 2, 3 and 6 of the National Agencies Act 1986 which he said precludes the DSS from handling cases of corruption and abuse of office, and criticised what he described as a growing trend in which the DSS went beyond its constitutionally dictated role  by conducting raids in the Akwa-Ibom State government house, the  Ekiti State and Zamfara State  Houses of Assembly.

    The motion was passed when put up for a voice vote by Speaker Dogara with the proviso that it be referred to an Adhoc Committee which is to also investigate all cases of invasion of property and arrest of persons for reasons outside the general duties of the DSS as prescribed by the National Securities Act.

    The committee is to report within six weeks back to the House.

  • Avengers: DSS whisks away local publisher in Bayelsa 

    Avengers: DSS whisks away local publisher in Bayelsa 

    There was confusion in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Thursday, following the whisking away of the publisher of a local tabloid, Weekly Source, Chief James Abiri, by operatives who identified themselves as secret agents from the Department of State Security (DSS).

    Abiri was reportedly handcuffed and taken away from his office in Yenagoa at about 11am by the operatives who carried out the operation in three vehicles.

    His colleagues identified the vehicles’ registration numbers as SAG 391 AA, PBT 480 AA and Lagos 193 DN.

    The armed operatives numbering nine were said to have created panic among the residents following the commando style they effected the arrest.

    They were said to have kept mute refusing to disclose the reason why Abiri was being arrested.

    There were indications that his arrest bordered on reports about the activities of the militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

    But one of them reportedly said the publisher was needed to answer questions on national security adding that the operation was sanctioned by the headquarters of the DSS in Abuja.

    A source and colleague of Abiri said other local publishers were around the office of Abiri when the fierce-looking and unfriendly secret agents stormed the place.

    The source who spoke in confidence said when the suspicious vehicles arrived the area, Abiri whose office was located upstairs of the building, was at a canteen.

    He said: “When the three vehicles parked, one of the secret agents, came to his office but could not find Abiri. Others were waiting in the vehicles.

    “The operative came to us and said he was looking for the publisher of Weekly Source. We didn’t know he had a pistol. Following they way he inquired about Abiri, we thought he was one of his news sources.

    “We innocently went to call Abiri. But on sighting him, the operative immediately called other operatives who came and handcuffed our colleague. They immediately took him to his office but would not allow anybody to come close to them.

    “They refused to talk to us but one of them later said they came from Abuja to arrest on issues of national security. They ransacked his office, carted away some documents and took Abiri along with them”.

    He said the suspected detectives were anxiously looking for the mobile phone of the journalist but could not find it.

    He said said the operatives initially mistook the office of a popular Yenagoa-based lawyer for Abiri’s office.

    “They had already ransacked and disorganized the office of the lawyer when they noticed it was not Abiri’s office. The lawyer called the police who came, exchanged pleasantries with the secret agents and left. They apparently know them”, the source said.

    It was gathered that the way and manner the operation was conducted made some security operatives working in Yenagoa to think that the journalist had been kidnapped.

    The umbrella body of local publishers in the state, Bayelsa Federated Newspaper Publishers Association (BAFENPA), confirmed the incident.

    The Chairman of BAFENPA, Mr. Easteday Ayibatari, said they went to the offices of all security agencies in the state including the DSS but could not trace his whereabouts.

    He said the DSS in the state said no security agent could come to the state and effect any arrest without notifying the state’s office.

    He said: “We are worried of his whereabouts. We have lodged a complain at the Ekeki Police station, Yenagoa. We have never seen this kind of arrest before”.

    Ayibatari called on the police to carry out thorough investigation to locate the whereabouts of Abiri.

    He said they were further worried over the refusal of the secret agents to properly introduce themselves and show their identity cards.

    But a security agent who spoke in confidence confirmed that Abiri was taken away by the DSS and asked the local publishers to direct their inquiries to the senior officers of the DSS.

     

  • Drama as G-15 members convene sitting at KOGI assembly

    Drama as G-15 members convene sitting at KOGI assembly

    Drama was not in short supply Thursday at the Kogi State House of Assembly, as the G-15 members, including speaker, Momohjimoh Lawal convened sitting after months of shutout by the G-5 members, led by Hon. Unar Imam.

    The G-15 lawmakers came fully ready, including the mace-bearing Sergeant-at-arms.

    Lawal was reinstated by the Federal High Court in Abuja last week.

    From the main entrance, to the assembly complex where there was heavy presence of security details, including the police, operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), when they arrived the complex, the G-15 members made to commence plenary, but found the gate under lock and key.

    After verbal altercations between them and the security agents, the main gate and chamber door were forced open to enable them begin the business of the day.

    The security agents made to prevent the lawmakers, but they stood their ground, with some of them shouting, “kill us now, kill us now, kill us now, as they moved towards the hallow chamber where they sat briefly and conducted legislative duty.

    It was gathered that the assembly staff who had earlier reported for the day’s work were instructed to leave.

    They were said to have locked their offices when information filtered in that the G-15 members were on their way to resume.

    It was hinted that the Chief of Staff to Imam instructed the workers to close down the complex and go into hiding.

    At the plenary session, Deputy Majority leader, Hon. Sunday Shigaba moved the motion for the lifting of the purported suspension of 10 members by the G-5, and called for the extension of hands of fellowship to those members on other side of the divide. It was seconded by Hon. Ade Omofaye representing Ijumu constituency.

    Lawal commended the gallantry and selfless sacrifice of every member “who in the face of all the challenges stood against injustices and anti democratic tendencies at was at play”.

    He added: “Our struggle for the entrenchment of democracy in Kogi state has paid off with the judicial pronouncement made on Thursday 19th May, 2016 . Permit me to commend the judiciary for standing by the truth”.

    Motion for adjournment till 30th May, 2016 was moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Mathew Kolawole and seconded by Hon. Linus Eneche.

    While the plenary session was in progress, a detachment of policemen led by the State Commissioner of Police, Yakubu Usman, arrived the assembly complex.

    With the arrival of the CP, another round of argument ensued between him and the legislators who maintained they were doing their legitimate duty as members of the Kogi State House of Assembly.

    The scene later became rowdy, as policemen began the arrest of those they described as thugs.

    The CP while fielding questions from newsmen, later at the command headquarters, said he was informed that thugs had taken over the assembly complex, hence he reinforced the detachment of police to arrest the situation.

    The DSS boss who was also on the ground, said that he was there to asses situation in the complex.

    The Police Command disclosed that it arrested four suspected thugs at the assembly complex.

    While parading the suspect at Command headquarters Lokoja, CP Yakubu Usman stated he had a distress call that thugs have invaded the Kogi House of Assembly.

    The suspect’s however protested vehemently, with one of them, Abdullahi Yakubu insisting that he is the personal assistant to Hon. Idris Ndakwo, member representing Lokoja II.

    He said they were picked at Crusher village where his principal parked his car.

    The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, last week ordered the G-15 members to return to the house and ordered that the status quo be maintained.

     

  • Sultan, others in Ife for inauguration

    Sultan, others in Ife for inauguration

    Dignitaries have started arriving Ile-Ife for the inauguration of Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi as the 51st Ooni and the presentation of staff by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    Traditional rulers from the North and South, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, are in town.

    Congratulatory banners and billboards have flooded the ancient town; many of them are mounted at strategic locations.

    Security agents, including the police, the Department of State Security (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), have been drafted in the town.

    First Bank Managing Director, Bisi Onasanya yesterday inaugurated the multi-billion naira Ife Resorts at the Ife Toll Gate, Ajebandele on Ibadan Road.

    Onasanya said the project would transform the town’s economy.

    Oba Ogunwusi said the project was part of the new Ile-Ife he was determined to create during his reign.

    He said: “This is part of the new Ife. May we witness the new Ife of our dream.  This project is part of my call for Ile-Ife. May God make all our dreams totally possible.”

    The Ooni promised that the area would wear a new look  in the next three months.

    He said the project would be 10 times bigger than his Inagbe Grand Resort and Leisure, adding that it would be a beauty to behold.

    At the event were  Obasewa of Ife Chief John Agboola Odeyemi; Balogun of Ife Chief Bisi Omidiora; Adagba of Iyanfoworogi Oba Adebolu Fatunmise; President of Ife Development Board Prof. Muibi Opeloye and others.

    The Ooni promised the residents, a peaceful and progressive Ife during his reign.