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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Following recent wave of attacks on the Department of State Services (DSS) by persons loyal to the former Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, a Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have dismissed the calls and labelled it as false and misleading.
There have been allegations describing DSS as a lawless organisation that disobeys court orders, but the CSOs under Rising-Up for a United Nigeria, promoting good governance and accountability, debunked the allegations.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, Solomon Adodo, the National Coordinator of the group, alongside leaders of 14 other CSOs insisted that the DSS, being a very professional law enforcement, cannot disobey court orders. The CSOs described those trying to tarnish the image of the security outfit, are nothing but paid stooges standing in the way of justice and defending criminals who have enriched themselves with stolen public funds.
“It is disheartening that some persons are defending Emefiele who has actually caused all the financial problems Nigerians are facing now and trying to paint the DSS in bad light.
“The DSS has for a long time tried to get Emefiele to account for his crimes of terrorism sponsorship and money laundering amongst others since 2022.
Emefiele used all forms of tactics including the judiciary to frustrate the Service yet the court orders restraining his arrests were obeyed. How can the Service be excused of not obeying court orders?” CSOs noted.
The CSO averred further that the recent arrest of Emefiele following his suspension and additional criminal records was done according to the mandate of the DSS and with a valid magisterial order from which the Service obeyed in all entirety.
“Those pretending to be fighting for the rule of law and human rights should note that the DSS arrested and detained Emefiele based on a Magisterial Order from Justice Hamza Mu’azu of the FCT High Court who acknowledged the DSS’s legal right to arrest, detain, and investigate Emefiele.
“He ordered either Emefiele’s release or prosecution within seven days which the DSS promptly complied by charging him for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The Service has obeyed all court orders even when they were conflicting. How could this be regarded as disregard for court orders and a conflict with the judiciary?” the statement queried.
