Headline

DSS, NCoS clash: DSS has initiated investigations, says Spokesperson

Published

10 months ago

July 27, 2023

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.

Headline

EFCC bars dollar transactions, orders embassies to charge in naira

Published

3 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Desmond Ukafor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has barred foreign missions based in Nigeria from transacting in foreign currencies and mandated them to use Naira in their financial businesses.

The EFCC has also mandated Nigerian foreign missions domiciled abroad to accept Naira in their financial businesses.

The anti-graft agency said the move is to tackle the dollarisation of the Nigerian economy and the degradation of the naira

The Commission, therefore, asked the government to stop foreign missions in Nigeria from charging visa and other consular services in foreign denominations.

The EFCC gave the advisory in a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, for onward transmission to all foreign missions in the country.

In the letter, the EFCC said it issued the advisory because the practice of paying for consular services in dollars was in conflict with extant laws and financial regulations in Nigeria.

In a letter dated April 5, 2024, which was addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, titled: “EFCC Advisory to Foreign Missions against Invoicing in US Dollar,” the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede expressed dismay over the invoicing of consular services in Nigeria by foreign missions in dollars.

The EFCC cited Section 20(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, which makes currencies issued by the apex bank the only legal tender in Nigeria.

The letter read, “I present to you the compliments of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and wish to notify you about the commission’s observation, with dismay, regarding the unhealthy practice by some foreign missions to invoice consular services to Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country in United States dollar ($).

“It states that ‘the currency notes issued by the Bank shall be the legal tender in Nigeria on their face value for the payment of any amount’.

“This presupposes that any transaction in currencies other than the naira anywhere in Nigeria contravenes the law and is, therefore, illegal.”

The commission further stated that the rejection of the naira for consular services in Nigeria by certain missions, along with non-compliance with foreign exchange regulations in determining service costs, is not just unlawful but also undermines the nation’s sovereignty embodied in its official currency.

The letter continues: “This trend can no longer be tolerated, especially in a volatile economic environment where the country’s macroeconomic policies are constantly under attack by all manner of state and non-state actors.

“In light of the above, you may wish to convey the commission’s displeasure to all missions in Nigeria and restate Nigeria’s desire for their operations not to conflict with extant laws and regulations in the country.”

Diplomatic sources said yesterday, May 10, that some embassies were wondering whether the EFCC’s advisory represented the position of the Federal Government.

Headline

Prince Harry visits sick Nigerian soldiers in Kaduna

Published

3 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Alero Danjuma

Prince Harry and his team visited the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna to interact with wounded soldiers who are receiving treatment.

The Duke of Sussex is in Nigeria with his wife to champion the Invictus Games, which Harry founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans.

Nigeria joined the Invictus Community of Nations in 2022 becoming the first African country to join.

Prince Harry’s visit to Kaduna came 68 years after his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II visited the state during the time of the late Premier of Northern Region Sir Ahmadu Bello.