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Tag: DSS

  • SON, DSS confiscate substandard vegetable oil

    SON, DSS confiscate substandard vegetable oil

    THE Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Department of State Services (DSS) have intercepted a truck load of  suspected substandard vegetable oil  in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    It was part of efforts at ensuring that only safe and quality products are allowed for consumption  in the country.

    In an enforcement exercise, both agencies busted the syndicate, who specialised in repackaging and rebranding of suspected substandard vegetable oil.

    SON noted that the apprehension of the syndicate followed receipt of classified information from concerned stakeholders.

    Some of the items recovered from the illegal factory situated on Irese road, near Orange FM Station in Akure, include thousands of jerry cans of different capacities and popular brands as well as two surface storage tanks of about 15,000 litres capacity each, according to SON Ondo State Coordinator Paul Oke, an engineer.

    Commenting on the interception, the Director General, SON, Osita Aboloma, vowed to partner with food industries on food fortification.

    He maintained that the agency has developed various standards for fortificants to support the Federal Government’s quest to combat malnutrition in the country.

    “SON is working with industries, under the umbrella of Association of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employers, NAFDAC, development partners like United Nations children Fund (UNICEF), GAIN and other stakeholders and interested parties to review these standards periodically to ensure healthy living by our people,” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of the SON Director General, Oke stated that the agency benefitted from the existing robust collaboration with the DSS to carry out surveillance activities that led to the eventual arrest of the leader of the syndicate, AkabuezeOkuchwukwu, who, he said, has been in the business for the past four years unnoticed under very unhygienic environment.

    Preliminary investigations, according to the SON State coordinator, revealed that the suspect has no evidence of company registration.

    He added that samples of the suspected substandard vegetable oil have been taken for laboratory tests and analysis.

    He added the truck and suspect are in custody of the DSS for further investigation to apprehend other collaborators and the source of the consignment in the truck.

  • DSS shuns Metuh’s request to produce Dasuki in court

    DSS shuns Metuh’s request to produce Dasuki in court

    THE Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday failed to produce former National Security Adviser Col.Mohamed Sambo Dasuki in court.

    Dasuki was expected to appear as a defence witness in the ongoing trial of  former Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) spokesperson Chief Olisa Metuh.

    Metuh is facing trial on a seven-count charge of fraud brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He is accused of receiving N400 million illegally from the office of the former National Security Adviser.

    But he denied any wrongdoing.

    The Metuh’s letter to DSS signed by Emeka Etiaba (SAN) dated June 19 stated that Dasuki’s presence would be needed at the Federal High Court, sitting at Court 9, Federal High Court, Maitama.

    At the last adjourned date, Justice Abang refused an application by Metuh for a stay of proceeding in line with the decision of the Supreme Court.

    Also, the judge dismissed another application filed by Tochukwu Onwubuifor (SAN) counsel to the 1st defendant’s company, Destra Investment Limited, asking the court to release Metuh’s passport to enable him to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment for a period of five weeks.

    The matter was adjourned till today for continuation of trial.

  • Oil mogul Ifeanyi Ubah released by DSS

    Oil mogul Ifeanyi Ubah released by DSS

    The Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, has been released from the Department of State Service (DSS) custody.

    Reports said Ubah was released “unconditionally” on Tuesday night.

    Ubah was arrested few weeks ago over alleged theft of petroleum products kept in his tank farm by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

  • DSS to descend on hate campaigners

    DSS to descend on hate campaigners

    The Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday warned all ethnic groups against misinformation and hate speeches capable of causing disunity.

    A statement by its spokesman, Mr Tony Opuiyo, said the DSS would stop at nothing to deal with any group found culpable in line with its mandate.

    On June 6, a coalition of Northern youth groups issued an ultimatum to the Igbo in the North to leave before Oct. 1.

    The coalition also ordered people of Northern extraction living in the South Eastern part of the country to return home.

    In response, a coalition of Niger Delta militants asked the Federal Government to return all oil blocks owned by northerners to oil-producing communities.

    Before then, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had been campaigning for the disintegration.

    The DSS advised all those “charting the course of disunity among Nigerians to desist from their divisive actions.

    “The service is also not oblivious of the efforts of some miscreants to ignite fear and cause ethnic tensions across the country,’’ he said.

    Opuiyo said the service condemned the issuance of a quit notice to people against their wishes.

    “Such relocation order is not only illegal, but strongly viewed to be against the spirit of our Constitution, which allows for freedom of movement and association, among other things.

    “The service has already commenced detailed investigation to get the perpetrators of these hate campaigns as well as their sponsors.

    “At the appropriate time all those involved in these condemnable acts will be unmasked and decisively dealt with in line with the laws of the land.’’

    He advised law-abiding citizens to disregard persuasions by these tribal groups to cause disaffection”.

    The DSS spokesman assured Nigerians that the service would ensure that those bent on causing trouble did not go free.

    The statement added:  ”The DSS has watched with keen interest the disturbing trend desperate and mischievous elements have tended to steer the ship of our nationhood to calamity and irretrievable destruction.

    “Another group went to the extent of harvesting from the internet, a horrific accident scene, for the purpose of making it look like a site of massacre of Igbo ethnic group by Northern youths.

    ”However, the Service has been able to establish that the purported murder scene being depicted as a field of massacre was a high casualty accident scene which occurred along Owo-Akure road, Ondo State, on 3rd March, 2016.

    ”Those involved in these misleading and despicable acts have since been warned to desist from anything capable of causing disaffection and stoking nationwide tensions.

    ”The Service is also not oblivious of the efforts of some miscreants to ignite fear and cause ethnic tensions across the country. It strongly condemns in its entirety the call for relocation of anyone to places against their wishes. Such relocation order is not only illegal, but it is strongly viewed to be against the spirit of our Constitution which allows for freedoms of movement and association among others.

    ”It is time for us, Nigerians, to show our humanness and patriotism which have been our defining strength as one united indivisible nation.

    ”The Service has already commenced a detailed investigation to get the perpetrators of these hate campaigns as well as their sponsors. At the appropriate time, all those involved in these condemnable acts will be unmasked and decisively dealt with in line with the laws of the land.”

  • DSS arrests ISIS-linked terrorist, kidnappers of army captain

    DSS arrests ISIS-linked terrorist, kidnappers of army captain

    Suspected leaders of kidnapping gangs, a dismissed army corporal and several suspected Boko Haram insurgents have been arrested by the Department of State Service (DSS).

    In a statement released by DSS Spokesman, Tony Opuiyo, on Monday, the agency said the Boko Haram elements have intensified activities such as kidnapping and cattle rustling to finance their operations.

    The statement said, “The Service, in a joint operation with the military on 9th June, 2017, arrested Abdulhamid Isiaka (aka Small) and Habib Audu, at Obajana and Ibilo in Kogi and Edo States respectively. It is instructive to note that Isiaka is a Libyan returnee, who had travelled to that country alongside Abu Uwais, a most wanted terrorist.

    “While in Libya, Isiaka had undergone terrorism training and also acquired a cache of weapons in preparation for attacks in Kogi and Kaduna States. He, however, became notorious and specialized in gun-running, kidnapping, armed robbery and other terror acts.

    “Isiaka has made useful statements to facilitate further investigations and actions against terrorist and kidnap networks on the Abuja-Okene and the Kaduna-Abuja axis.”

    Opuiyo said recent successes in DSS tactical operations included the arrest of kidnappers operating along highways leading to Abuja, adding that reports of kidnappings on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway motivated DSS operatives to arrest one Aminu Aliyu over the May 27 kidnap of an army captain, Ifeanyi Amos, along the Jaji-Kaduna Highway.

    Aliyu was arrested on May 28 in Sokoto.

     

  • NBA seeks end to investigation of judges arrested by DSS

    NBA seeks end to investigation of judges arrested by DSS

    THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has faulted the Federal Government’s anti-corruption strategy.

    It suggested an urgent review, with attention directed at strengthening existing investigating and prosecuting agencies.

    The group expressed worry that over eight months after some judges were suspended on the ground that they were being investigated for misconduct, no major progress has been made by the investigating agency.

    It called for the discontinuance of such investigations to enable the affected judge resume their official duties.

    NBA President Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) expressed these views while speaking in Abuja yesterday.

    He said: “It is no longer news that there is endemic corruption in Nigeria. The issue is how we are fighting it.

    “While the current efforts by anti-corruption agencies are commendable, it is important to note that the present framework, which is in place for anti-corruption crusade, is defective in structure and does not make for effectiveness of these agencies.

    “The NBA still believes that a lot needs to be done in improving the general institutional framework for the fight against corruption.

    “Though some successes have scored, especially following the whistle-blowing policy of the government, yet it must be remembered that reliance on this whistle-blowing itself is a signal to the overall weakness of policing and anti-crime agencies.

    “The NBA, therefore, calls for more investment in the development of the capacity of anti-corruption agencies. The NBA also calls for greater demonstration of commitment and synergy between the various branches of government.

    “As it is, there is clear dissonance between the executive and legislative branches. A situation where the branches of government are unable to agree on the leadership of a key agency of government such as the EFCC is not only unfortunate, but highly regrettable.

    “This exposes our country to ridicule and questions the commitment of our leaders to the fight against corruption. We call on both the legislature and executive branches to as a matter of urgency address the lingering issue of the leadership of the EFCC.”

    The NBA also called on all agencies of government involved in the criminal justice sector to demonstrate a greater level of cooperation and synergy.

    The NBA President, who commended the various reform initiatives in the Judiciary since the Justice Walter Onnoghen’s appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), called for enhance collaboration between all arms of government.

    He urged the Federal Government to continually demonstrate religious adherence to the tenets of constitutional democracy.

    Mahmoud said the NBA was appalled at the continued detention of certain individuals in blatant disobedience to court orders.

    “Amongst these individuals are Sheik Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky and his wife and also Colonel Sambo Dasuki,  the former National Security Adviser.

    “Whilst we recognise the serious the charges on which these individuals are held, we nevertheless view their continued detention as unjustified and contrary to the express court orders.”

    The group commended Fed Govt’s efforts at reviving the economy, but urged it to focus at employment generation, improved security and the creation of a business friendly climate in the country.

     

  • DSS uncovers scheme in NNPC for diverting public funds

    DSS uncovers scheme in NNPC for diverting public funds

    •Over N15b diverted, says agency
    •Operatives arrests one, trails senior officials

    THE Department of State Services (DSS) has unearthed a well perfected scheme involving officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) through which they allegedly divert proceeds of petroleum products sold to oil marketers.

    The Nation learnt that investigation so far, by the SSS revealed that the scheme, which exist in an arm of the NNPC called:  NNPC Retail Limited, involved some senior officials, who employ some junior officials to perpetrate the fraud.

    Investigation revealed that the scheme is operated with the connivance of some senior officials, who engage officials attached to the “Cash and Carry Team” of the NNPC Retail Ltd, who give out petroleum product to marketers on credit and supply them with private bank accounts into which the marketers make payment.

    The DSS said the scheme, which has been operated for some time now, has cost the country over N15 billion (N15, 252,456,766).

    It said it has arrested one of the main operators of the scheme, whose name it gave as Abdullahi Muktar.

    The agency described Muktar as a 36-year-old, who had his youth service in NNPC between 2007 and 2008 before he was retained and attached to the “Cash and Carry Team” of the NNPC Retail Ltd.

    The DSS made this known in an application it filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for an order permitting it to detain Muktar pending the conclusion of investigation.

    It said the detention of Muktar (named as respondent in the application) was necessary because it was currently trailing others, who benefited from the scheme, some of whom are senior officials of the NNPC.

    The agency, in a supporting affidavit to the application, said: “The respondent connived with others, who are still at large, to defraud the NNPC money running into 15, 252,456,766. The respondent works in the NNPC Retails Limited.

    “Having done his compulsory national youth service in that unit of the NNPC in 2007 and 2008, he was retained. And later co-opted into the Cash and Carry Team in 2011.

    “In the Cash and Carry Team, he was responsible for confirming orders and releasing products to all oil marketers,” it said.

    It stated that Muktar connived with others and all the monies from petroleum products, in respect of which he confirmed orders and released to marketers were paid into his personal account.

    It added that: “He (Muktar) and his accomplices have defrauded the Federal Government of billions of naira. Their action constitutes economic threat of national security dimension.

    “The respondent has made useful voluntary statement that is assisting the applicant in the investigation. The respondent is 36 years old with millions of naira in his various accounts,” the SSS said.

  • Judge knocks DSS for lying on oath over businessman’s arrest

    THE Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to charge Capital Oil and Gas Ltd Managing Director Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah within 48 hours or release him unconditionally.

    Justice Mohammed Idris held that Ubah’s detention without charge violated his rights.

    He knocked the DSS counsel for lying on oath in a bid to justify Ubah’s illegal detention.

    The Service arrested Ubah on May 6 over alleged “economic sabotage” and “illegal sale of petroleum products stored in his tank farm by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC”.

    Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, EFCC, DSS Director-General, DSS, Inspector-General of Police, NNPC, NNPC Retail Ltd and the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) were the respondents.

    Justice Idris faulted DSS for arresting Ubah over a business transaction.

    “Security agencies must understand that they are not instruments of debt recovery,” Justice Idris held.

    The judge dismissed DSS’ and NNPC’s preliminary objections and held that Ubah’s rights were violated in Lagos and Abuja, which conferred him with jurisdiction.

    He held that the applicants – Ubah and his firm – had no cause of action against EFCC, the IGP and AMCON. He, therefore, struck out the case against them.

    “The suit does not show the wrongful of the respondents,” the judge held.

    Dismissing DSS’s counter-affidavit, the judge said it was a “rigmarole and vague”, and “does not constitute a reasonable denial of the serious allegations made against them”.

  • Fuel diversion: Court extends Ubah’s detention for 14 days

    Fuel diversion: Court extends Ubah’s detention for 14 days

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Jabi on Thursday granted an order for the Department of State Services (DSS) to further detain the Chairman of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Ifeanyi Ubah for 14 days.

    Justice Yusuf Halilu gave the order while ruling on an ex-parte application filed by the DSS, which claimed it was yet to conclude its investigation into the case involving Ubah and needed an extension of the detention order.

    The judge had on May 10 granted a similar order to the DSS, permitting the agency to detain the Capital Oil and Gas chief pending the conclusion of investigation into alleged diversion of N11 billion worth of petrol by the businessman.

  • Court orders Ifeanyi Ubah’s release from DSS custody

    Court orders Ifeanyi Ubah’s release from DSS custody

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday ordered the unconditional release of Capital Oil Limited Chairman, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, from the Department of State Services (DSS) custody.

    Justice Mohammed Idris said Ubah’s detention without charge was illegal.

    He directed the DSS to file a criminal charge against Ubah within 48 hours if it has a case against him or release him with no conditions attached.

    Ubah has been in detention for weeks over allegations that he diverted petroleum products stored in his tank farm by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    “Security agencies must understand that they are not instruments of debt recovery,” Justice Idris held.

    He also said the DSS lied on oath in a bid to justify Ubah’s detention, describing it as unfortunate.