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DSS, NCoS clash: DSS has initiated investigations, says Spokesperson
The Department of State Services (DSS) has initiated detailed investigations into the clash between its personnel and those of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in the Federal High Court compplex in Lagos.
Dr Peter Afunanya, the Public Relations Officer of DSS, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Afunanya described the clash as an unfortunate incident, adding that it was not a reflection of the professional disposition of the DSS.
”It is not a reflection of professional disposition of the department. The service will never encourage such incident in view of the respect it accords the Judiciary as an arm and institution of government.
“The DSS recognises the Judiciary as a critical component in nation building, national development and security management.
“Also, the service has robust working relationship with sister security and law enforcement agencies including the NCoS.
“While noting that the personnel from both agencies exhibited undue overzealousness, he said the investigation was to identify the role played by specific persons leading to the fiasco.
“We shall also look at possible disciplinary steps where necessary, and draw some lessons going forward.”
According to him, for emphasis, the DSS has not broken any law in handling the suspended CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele case in spite of efforts by some elements to skew the narratives to the contrary.
He said the Service had alerted the public of plots to discredit its leadership, but noted that, in pursuit of its assignments, the Service would strive to remain professional, maintain ethical standards and high sense of discipline.
Afunanya pledged the committment of the Service to remain focused on its national security mandate.
He enjoined the public to support the service in achieving the desired security goals for the nation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that operatives of the DSS and the NSC officials on Tuesday went into show of force over who should take Emefiele into custody.
Emefiele was brought before Federal High Court, Lagos for arraignment by the DSS for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, but the suspended CBN boss was granted bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety.
The trial judge, Justice Nicholas Oweibo, ordered the remand of Emefiele in NCS’s custody pending the time Emefiele would perfect his bail granted him.
However, the moment the court proceeding ended, a mild drama ensued as the DSS personnel, who brought the defendant to court, insisted on taking him back to their custody, in deviance to the court’s order.
NAN reports that Justice Oweibo admitted Emefiele to bail in the sum of N20million.
Emefiele is standing trial on a two-counts charge bordering on possession of a single barrel shot gun, as well as possession of 123 rounds of live ammunition without licences
He had pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN has warned against obstructing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from carrying out its lawful duty .
Fagbemi’s warning is contained in a statement in Abuja.
“This is a matter of very grave concern, it is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigations into any matter, regardless of status.
“Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of EFCC, but to honourably answer their invitation.
“A situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is to say the least, insufferably disquieting’’.
He added that running away from the law will not resolve issues at stake but only exacerbate them.
“Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone who follows the rule of law in seeking protection.
“I therefore encourage anyone who has been invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by honouring such invitation instead of embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism.
“This can only put our country in bad light before the rest of the world’’.
He said institutions of state should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently.
“I stand for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC, and indeed any other agency to order when there is an indication of any transgressions of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies’’.
NAN reports that the EFCC had on Wednesday warned members of the public that it was a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.
Section 38(2)(a(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties. Culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.
The warning , the EFCC said, became necessary against the background of the increasing tendency by persons and groups under investigation by the Commission to take the laws into their hands by recruiting thugs to obstruct lawful operations of the EFCC.
On several occasions, the anti graft agency said, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order.
Some unknown gunmen have kidnapped Joshua Rogers, the ChannelsTV reporter in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Politics Nigeria learnt that Rogers was picked up close to his residence at Rumuosi in Port Harcourt and to an unknown destination by the gunmen around 9pm on Thursday, April 11.
The reporter was driving his official ChannelsTV branded car when the hoodlums accosted, pointed a gun at him and took him away in the same vehicle.
Rogers was said to be returning from his official assignment in Government House after a trip to Andoni for a government event when the incident happened.
Already, the gunmen were said to have contacted his wife and demanded a N30million ransom for bis release.
His cameraman confirmed the incident and appealed to his abductors to set him free unconditionally.
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