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Tag: dss

  • JUST IN: Shortly after DSS frees Emefiele, EFCC detains him

    JUST IN: Shortly after DSS frees Emefiele, EFCC detains him

    The embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiel is currently being detained in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

    He was reportedly released yesterday and subsequently picked up by the EFCC.

    According to PUNCH, the anti-graft agency is probing Emefiele over alleged impropriety during his term as the head of the apex bank.

    “Yes, Emefiele is currently in our (EFCC) custody; he was arrested last night less than an hour after the DSS freed him. He’s currently being interrogated at the headquarters, as he’s being investigated for alleged misappropriation of funds amongst other things during his term as CBN governor,” a source said.

    Details to follow…

  • After releasing ex-EFCC boss, DSS set to handover Emefiele

    After releasing ex-EFCC boss, DSS set to handover Emefiele

    Barely 24hours after releasing former EFCC boss, Abdurasheed Bawa, the Department of State Security Services, DSS is set to release the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

    According to Sources in the Presidency and the Ministry of Justice, Emefiele will be officially handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC later today. This development is coming a day after the release of Ex-EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.

    Recall that Emefiele has been in the custody of the DSS since June 10th over his alleged involvement in Fraud and Several other offenses. On July 25, Emefiele was arraigned on a two-count charge over “illegal possession” of firearms at a federal high court in Ikoyi and was granted N20 million bail.

    Nicholas Oweibo, the presiding judge, had ordered that Emefiele should be kept in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions.
    But the DSS insisted that Emefiele must return to its custody, a development that led to the face-off between the secret police and prison officials.

  • Four months after, DSS frees former EFCC Chairman

    Four months after, DSS frees former EFCC Chairman

    After four months in detention of the Department of State Services (DSS), former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa has regained freedom.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Bawa regained his freedom on Wednesday night after he honoured an invitation of the DSS on June 15 for questioning over allegations of abuse of office brought against him.

    “DSS confirms release of former EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, a few hours ago (today 25th October, 2023),” Peter Afunanya, DSS Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications disclosed in a terse statement via X.

    Recall President Bola Tinubu approved the indefinite suspension of the former EFCC Chairman from office.

    A statement  from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation said the suspension was to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office.

    The statement said the suspension followed weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against the former EFCC boss.

    Bawa was directed at the time to immediately handover the affairs of his office to the Director of Operations in the commission.

    Afunanya had said Bawa was invited in relation to some investigative activities concerning him.

  • Igboho urges security agencies to address alleged killings by herdsmen in Ogun, Oyo

    Igboho urges security agencies to address alleged killings by herdsmen in Ogun, Oyo

    Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Igboho, has urged the Department of State Services, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and the Nigerian Army to probe the latest killings of farmers in Oyo and Ogun states.

    According to Igboho, the security agencies should ensure that those behind the killings are apprehended and brought to book.

    Recall that gunmen suspected to be herders had killed farmers in Iwere-Ile community of Iwajowa Local Government Area and some other towns in Oke Ogun axis of Oyo.

    In his reaction,  Ighoho said security agencies must urgently address skirmishes between some rogue herdsmen and farmers in some parts of Ogun.

    Parts of a statement he personally signed read: “We are calling on the Police, the Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigerian Army to address the fragile security breaches now before the situation gets out of hand.

    “We are saddened that the killings of our farmers innocently earning their living have started raising its ugly head again. This worrisome development calls for sober reflection bearing in mind the current hardship in the country.

    “The recent ambush and killing of operatives of Amotekun Security Corps, including other security agents who were trying to restore normalcy in Iwere-Ile community after the suspected herdsmen have murdered our kinsmen in Iwere-Ile, must be investigated and the culprits must be made to face the music.

    “While we commend Oyo State governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, and his counterpart in Ogun, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for their efforts to ensure peace and healthy developments in their respective states, we are challenging the heads of security agencies to act now before the situation worsen.”

  • DSS reportedly recovers N580m from Ex- EFCC Chairman, Bawa

    DSS reportedly recovers N580m from Ex- EFCC Chairman, Bawa

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly recovered a staggering sum of over N580 million from Abdulrasheed Bawa, the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    According to reports, the recovery follows after Bawa’s arrest and detention in June 2023.

    Having gathered that, the N580 million was illegally acquired during his tenure as the head of the agency. A statement regarding the news read: “Over N580 million has been retrieved from the incarcerated former chairman of the anti-graft agency, EFCC.”

     

    However, many calls has been received from various quarters for Bawa’s release from detention especially the quarters of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), urging the federal government to either sue Bawa or release him.

  • Court convicts pipeline vandals charged with killing 7 DSS officers

    Court convicts pipeline vandals charged with killing 7 DSS officers

    An Ikeja High Court on Wednesday convicted two pipeline vandals, Clement Ododomu and Tiwei Monday, charged with killing seven officers of the Department of State Security (DSS).

    The killings occurred on Sept. 14, 2015 at Ishawo Creek, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

    Justice Hakeem Oshodi found Ododomu and Monday guilty but deferred their sentencing until Nov. 14 following plea for mercy by their counsel.

    Oshodi found Ododomu guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, murders and possession of firearms.

    He found Monday guilty of conspiracy to commit murder.

    According to him, the claim of defence that the defendants were in Lagos for funeral of their grandmother was a ruse.

    Oshodi held that defence failed to provide essential witnesses to corroborate the claim.

    He, however, held that prosecution was not able to prove that the second defendant (Monday) was guilty of murder.

    Oshodi said that evidence before the court showed that it was one Agbala and the first defendant (Ododomu) who killed the operatives.

    He held that prosecution was able to prove that the two defendants participated in the ambush of the operatives.

    He said: “Upon proper evaluation of evidence before the court, the convicts are hereby discharged and acquitted on counts of two, three, four, six and eight because the prosecution was unable to prove the allegations against them.

    “However, the prosecution was able to prove that the first defendant, Ododomu, is guilty of counts one, five, seven, nine and 10 which border on conspiracy to commit murder, murders, possession of firearms and felony.

    “The second defendant, Monday, is also found guilty of count one and 10 which border on conspiracy to commit murder and felony.”

    Defence counsel, Mr Olusegun Akande, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy.

    Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Babajide Martins, however, urged the court to convict them as prescribed by the section under which they were charged.

    Lagos State Government had submitted that DSS received a distress call from an editor of Sun newspaper (name withheld) on Sept. 14, 2015 about kidnap of his wife at their residence.

    It said that the state command of DSS consequently dispatched a nine-man team to carry out surveillance to ascertain the location of the kidnappers who were negotiating for a ransom.

    Prosecution added that it was reported that in the evening of that day, one of the DSS team members, Mr Martins Ajayi, sent a distress text message to the command headquarters to the effect that the team had been ambushed by vandals and their weapons seized.

    According to prosecution, the convicts committed the offences on Sept. 14, 2015, in Ishawo Creek, Ikorodu, Lagos.

    The convicts were arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit murder, murder and illegal possession of firearms, contrary to Section 223 and 298 (3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

  • DSS arrests former Shiite Spokesman, Ibrahim Musa

    DSS arrests former Shiite Spokesman, Ibrahim Musa

    Ibrahim Musa, the former spokesman for the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as the Shiite, has been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).

    It was gathered that Musa, the Editor of Almizan Hausa Newspaper, was arrested on Wednesday while he was on his way to Medina, Saudi Arabia.

    In a statement issued by an official of the IMN, Abdullahi Usman, no reason was provided by the authorities for Musa’s arrest.

    Usman revealed that Musa was known for his role in the call for the release of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky  who was arrested  by government in 2015 in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    He said: “Ibrahim Musa, who was with a family member Binta Sulaiman, was abducted by the Nigeria’s secret police, DSS, at the Aminu Kano International Airport early morning on Wednesday while on his way to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj (Umrah).

    “Meanwhile, no reasons have been provided by the authorities for his arrest  even as he is known for his role in the call for the release of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky  who was arrested at the wake of a clampdown and extrajudicial killing of about 1000 of his followers by the Nigerian government in 2015 in Zaria, Kaduna state.”

    “He was part of the campaign that got the Federal High Court judgement ordering the release and compensation of Sheikh Zakzaky, the leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria, for which it is believed the security agents who lost in the case are displeased.”

    “Human rights organizations, especially the Amnesty International (AI), had pressured the immediate past Governor of Kaduna state, Malam Nasiru Elrufai to publicly announce that his government had buried about 350 people killed in the extrajudicial killing in a mass grave at Mando village in Kaduna.”

    “Ibrahim Musa is known to have been active in speaking against the acts of state terrorism, extrajudicial killings and marginalization of a minority group of Muslims by the Nigerian Government under President Muhammadu Buhari.”

  • DSS establishes new directorate, appoints Afunaya as pioneer director

    DSS establishes new directorate, appoints Afunaya as pioneer director

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has established the Directorate of Public Relations and Strategic Communications (DPRSC) and appointed Dr Peter Afunanya as the pioneer Director.

    A statement from the Directorate on Wednesday in Abuja said the establishment of DPRSC was part of efforts by the DSS to sustain its engagement with citizens and the public.

    The statement said the directorate was also to deepen democratic governance, transparency and accountability in its service delivery.

    It said Afunanya, the erstwhile Public Relations Officer of DSS, would head the directorate as the supervising director and also be in charge of the service’s public communications.

    The statement said the appointment took effect from Sept. 26, adding that DSS had commended its Director-General, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi for the initiative to expand and appoint Afunanya to pilot the directorate.

    “Afunanya comes to his new role with over 20 years vast and rich experience in intelligence analysis, threat assessment, security administration, VIP protection/detailing, investigation and counterterrorism.

    “The new director is also experienced in open source intelligence management, background checks and security vetting, surveillance, security sector/intelligence governance, democratic accountability in law enforcement, educational research and peace advocacy.

    “He has also gathered  experience in alternative dispute resolution, development communication, interagency cooperation/liaison, joint operations, teaching, public and media relations, reputation management and strategic communication,” the statement said.

    Afunanya holds a Ph.D in Security and Strategic Studies from the Nasarawa State University, Keffi and a Master’s degree in Peace and Strategic Studies from the University of Ilorin.

    It said the new director obtained a Master of Arts degree in English Language from the University of Uyo after graduating from the Abia State University, Uturu with a Second Class Upper Division in English Language.

  • Sagamu cult clash: DSS arrests lawmaker, six others

    Sagamu cult clash: DSS arrests lawmaker, six others

    Security operatives in Ogun State on Wednesday tracked six suspected cultists, allegedly involved in the violence that erupted in Sagamu at the weekend to the official residence of a member of the state House of Assembly.

    The member, representing Sagamu State Constituency (1), Hon. Damilare Bello Mohammed, was alleged to have provided shelter to the fleeing cultists.

    A team of security operatives, in a sting operation after a tip-off, arrested the suspects in the premises of the lawmaker.

    Those arrested, according to sources, include Damilare Bello Mohammed aka DRE, Debbo Animashaun, Bamidele Saheed, Ismaila Onitire, Adewale Otesanya and Tobi Owoade.

    They are presently undergoing interrogation at the Department of State Service (DSS).

    Sources revealed that many dangerous weapons, including guns, were recovered from the suspects.

    Hon. Bello was arrested by the DSS for masterminding the violent protest that took place in February this year in Sagamu over the naira redesign policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    During the protest, irate youths vandalised about 10 banks and other public infrastructures.

    Last weekend, Governor Dapo Abiodun vowed that the state will introduce death penalty to curb against cultism in the state.

  • Court dismisses Bulkachuwa’s suit seeking to stop ICPC, DSS, from investigating him

    Court dismisses Bulkachuwa’s suit seeking to stop ICPC, DSS, from investigating him

    A Federal High Court  Abuja, on Tuesday, dismissed the suit filed by Sen. Adamu Bulkachuwa seeking to stop the ICPC from investigating him over the comment he made during the valedictory session of the 9th National Assembly (NASS).

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, held that the suit lacked merit and ought to be dismissed.

    Justice Ekwo said that Bulkachuwa, being a lawmaker, ought to understand the implication of the statement that he made on the floor of the Senate.

    According to him, the legislative immunity which the plaintiff (Bulkachuwa) claims in this case does not avail him.

    “It is the duty of every law-abiding citizen to assist and cooperate with law enforcement agencies in their quest to carry out their statutory function.

    “It is only where a law enforcement agency breaches the fundamental right of a citizen in the process of carrying out their statutory function, then a cause of action could be said to have arisen,” the judge said.

    Bulkachuwa had sued the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the NASS clerk, State Security Service, ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

    The plaintiff asked the court to declare that he “is covered, privileged and protected by the parliamentary immunity as enshrined in Section 1 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act 2017 and freedom of speech and expression made thereto is privileged.”

    He also prayed the court to declare that without exhausting the internal disciplinary mechanism, recommendations and approval of the 9th House of Senate, no other law enforcement agent of the Federal Government, including the defendants can invite any member of the Senate for questioning/interview.

    Justice Ekwo said the utterance made by Bulkachuwa on the floor of the Debate on June 10 was not covered by Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

    ”The provision is that every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.”

    According to the judge, the clear words of Section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) cannot be interpreted to mean that a person can say anything he likes.

    “In a formal setting like that plenary session or committee proceedings of the Senate, It is not expected-a person who is privileged to voice any expression will utter words or express opinion or impart Ideas or gives’ Information that cannot be defended under the constitution.

    “Upon studying the provision of Section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), it Is my opinion, that the words uttered by the plaintiff on the floor of the Senate on Saturday, 10th June, 2023 was a confession of doing an act that is prohibited by law.

    “When a person confesses that he influenced a judicial officer to help his friends and colleagues, such a person has gone beyond the limit of freedom of speech that is reasonably covered and protected by the provision of Section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    “A person who has used the opportunity given to him by the constitution to express himself freely and uses the opportunity to expose his actions or conduct which the law of the land criminalises, has unwittingly invited law enforcement agencies to question him.

    “This is what the plaintiff did in this case.

    “I therefore find that that the speech of the plaintiff on the floor of the Senate on June 10, was a confession of illegal act and Section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) cannot be invoked to cover such and I so hold,” he declared.