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  • My political opponents using ICPC, DSS, others to harass me – Bulkachuwa

    My political opponents using ICPC, DSS, others to harass me – Bulkachuwa

    Sen. Adamu Bulkachuwa has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and others of colluding with his political enemies to harass him.

    Bulkachuwa told Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja, in a suit filed against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Clerk of the National Assembly, and others.

    In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/895/2023 filed by his lawyer, Donald Ayibiowu, Bulkachuwa, a senator in the 9th National Assembly, also joined the State Security Service (SSS), also known as DSS; the ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) as defendants.

    The ex-lawmaker, who is the husband of the immediate-past President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, said the ICPC and other security agencies had continued to harass him since his valedictory comment on the floor of the Senate, which his political enemies continued to misrepresent.

    He cited the June 15 letter of invitation sent to him by the ICPC over his comment on the floor of the Senate, which many had misinterpreted to mean that he had influenced his wife’s handling of some case while she was the president of the Court of Appeal.

    But he argued that, as a serving senator when he made the comment, he was, by law, immuned to arrest or detention over any of his conduct, action or speech on the floor of the Senate.

    In a supporting affidavit, he said he was freely expressing himself on the floor of the upper legislative chamber when the then Senate President, Ahmad Lawal, interjected and prevented him from completely expressing his thought.

    He said he was neither questioned nor disciplined by the Senate for any wrongdoing.

    Bulkachuwa stated that he was surprised to received an invitation from the ICPC, asking him to report for interview on June 22 for interrogation over his comment on the floor of the Senate.

    He argued that by law, it was only the Senate in session (committee of the whole) or any of its sub-committees that had the disciplinary power to invite him to answer any question or questions relating to his conduct or utterances on the floor of the upper chamber.

    “The National Assembly is an independent arm of government with its own regulatory power and every Senator, including the plaintiff, have the parliamentary immunity to boldly express themselves on the floor of the Senate without any fear of sanctions from the executive arm of government, for and on behalf of their constituents.

    “Hence, the immunity conferred on members to allow or grant lawmakers the freedom of speech they required and confidence why on the floor of the Senate.”

    Bulkachuwa alleged that the defendants,  particularly the ICPC, had joined his political opponents “to adopt and propagate the unintended inference from the said inchoate valedictory speech made on the floor of the Senate.

    “The defendants, particularly the (ICPC or any other law enforcement agency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria do not have the powers to invite/discipline me (as serving member of the Senate at the time of my utterance in reference) questioning/interview on any matter that occurred on the floor of the house of Senate without the prior approval of the Senate Committee saddled with the investigation the actions of a member.”

    He argued that “no civil or criminal proceedings can lie against a serving member of the Senate on account of the speech/utterances made on the floor of the Senate unless and until the Senate exhausts its disciplinary powers over such a member.”

    He said that because he was a politician, the defendants jointly and severally, might have decided to join form with his political foes to question and disciplined him for his said statement, made on the floor of the Senate.

    He, therefore, prayed the court to, among others, declare that he was covered and protected by the Parliamentary Immunity as enshrined in Section 1 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges)  Act of 2017.

    Bulkachuwa also sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants and other agencies of the Federal Government  from further inviting and or compelling him “to appear before them for interviews or questioning in respect of his inchoate utterances on the floor of the 9th Senate.”

    Upon resumed hearing on Thursday, Bulkachuwa’s lawyer, Donald Ayibiowu, urged the court to grant all the reliefs sought.

    In a counter affidavit, the Clerk of the National Assembly argued that Bulkachuwa enjoyed immunity from any form of proceedings in respect of words spoken or written at the plenary session.

    Lawyer to the AGF, Oyin Koleoso, faulted the plaintiff’s argument, contending that he no longer had any immunity from arrest and prosecution because he had ceased to be a senator.

    Koleoso urged the court to dismiss the suit.

    O. A. Aderounmu, who appeared for the DSS, and ICPC’s lawyer, U. M. Narimir, also urged the court to dismiss the case.

    Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until Oct. 25 for judgment.

  • Court strikes out application by DSS to further detain Emefiele

    Court strikes out application by DSS to further detain Emefiele

    A High Court in the FCT on Thursday struck out an application filed by the Department of State Services to secure an order to detain the suspended former Governor of the Central Bank,  Godwin Emefiele for a further 14 days.

    The DSS had in an application told the court that the agency has uncovered fresh evidence that warrants the request for the order.

    The application which was marked FCT/HC/M/12105/2023 and heard by Justice Hamza Muazu was quietly filed yesterday by the lawyers from the agency and came up before the vacation judge today.

    Justice Muazu struck out the application for being an abuse of court process and for want in jurisdiction.

    When the judge questioned counsel to the DSS, Victor Ejelonu, on the court’s jurisdiction in view of the provisions of Sections 293 and 296 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act which vests exclusive rights on the Magistrates’  Court to grant detention order, the counsel withdrew the prayer.

    Emefiele, was on Tuesday granted bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum by the Federal High Court in Lagos State.

    He was granted bail after pleading not guilty to the two counts bordering on the alleged illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

    Emefiele is facing two counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition preferred against him by the Federal Ministry of Justice before the vacation judge, Justice Nicholas Oweibo.

  • We’ll investigate fight between our operatives, prison officers – DSS

    We’ll investigate fight between our operatives, prison officers – DSS

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has promised to investigate the fight between its operatives and the men of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS)  at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos on Tuesday.

    DSS said that it didnt break any law in its handling of the case of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    The agency described the fight between its operatives and those of NCoS as unfortunate.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Operatives of the secret police and NCoS fought over who should take Emefiele into custody at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday.

    Reacting, DSS spokesman Peter Afunanya said the agency would not encourage such an action from its operatives.

    In a statement, Afunanya said: “The public will recall that Mr Godwin Emefiele, suspended CBN Governor, was arraigned at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on 25th July, 2023.

    “The Service has noted the incident that took place between its staff and those of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and wish to state as follows:

    “The incident was unfortunate and does not in any way reflect the professional disposition of the DSS; the Service did not and would never encourage the incident under reference.

    “The Service has tremendous respect for the judiciary as an arm and institution of government and will not go out of its way to undermine it.

    “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, the Service has further initiated detailed investigations into the matter.

    “This is with a view to identifying the role played by specific persons, as well as undertaking disciplinary actions if necessary, and drawing some lessons going forward.

    “For emphasis, the DSS has not broken any laws in handling the Emefiele case, despite efforts by some elements to skew the narratives to the contrary.”

  • Emefiele: Falana urges DSS to obey court order, says public officers should learn lesson

    Emefiele: Falana urges DSS to obey court order, says public officers should learn lesson

    Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has also reacted to the re-arrest of Godwin Emefiele, suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) by the Department of State Services (DSS) against court ruling.

    In a bench ruling after hearing arguments yesterday, Justice Nicholas Oweibo held that the Federal Government failed to establish why Emefiele should not be granted bail.

    “Consequently, the defendant is admitted to bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum,” he ruled.

    The judge then remanded Emefiele in prison custody against the request of the prosecution that he be remanded in DSS custody.

    However, DSS officers refused to allow Prisons officials take Emefiele, leading to a free-for-all.

    Falana while reacting to the development wondered why in spite of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s avowed commitment to the Rule of Law its officials disobeyed a court order.

    He, however, warned public officers to be wary of their actions.

    Falana recalled how Emefiele disobeyed several court orders, including that of the Supreme Court, over the validity of old Naira notes.

    “Notwithstanding the avowed commitment of the Bola Tinubu administration to operate under the rule of law, a team of State Security Service officials brazenly disobeyed the orders of the Federal High Court this morning (yesterday) at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi.

    “The court had admitted Mr. Godwin Emefiele to bail in respect of the offence of illegal possession of firearms.

    “For daring to comply with the orders of the Federal High Court, officials of the Prisons were attacked by gun-totting officers of the SSS.

    “In view of the stern warning of President Tinubu that inter-agency physical attacks would not be permitted under his administration, the security officers who attacked officials of the Ikoyi Prisons ought to be fished out and sanctioned.’

    “The federal government should also ensure that the orders of the Federal High Court are obeyed forthwith.’

    “However, all public officers should draw the necessary lessons from the current travails of Mr. Emefiele.

    “As governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, he recklessly displayed arrogance and impunity by disobeying the orders of several courts, including the Supreme Court of Nigeria!”

  • Court orders DSS to allow Kanu access to his medical records

    Court orders DSS to allow Kanu access to his medical records

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to grant the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, access to his medical records.

    Justice Binta Nyako, in a judgment, held that the DSS objections to Kanu’s request was unmeritorious.

    Justice Nyako held that Kanu was constitutionally entitled to have access to both the records he requested for and medical doctors of his choice.

    The judge, however, directed that the independent medical examination of Kanu by his personal physicians should be supervised by the DSS with the entire process recorded and sealed for security purpose.

    Kanu, through his team of lawyers led by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, had filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/ 2341/2022, against the DSS and its Director General as 1st and 2nd respondents.

    In the suit, the IPOB leader prayed the court for an order, granting him leave to, “apply for judicial review in the form of an order of mandamus, compelling the respondents to allow the applicant unhindered access to his medical doctors to enable them conduct an independent examination of his present deteriorating health condition.

    “An order of this Honourable Court granting leave to the applicant to apply for judicial review in the form of an order of mandamus, compelling the respondents to avail the applicant with all his medical records, from the 29th day of June, 2021, till date.”

    Kanu listed some of the records he would require from the DSS, to include; his admission records, medical and clinical notes, nursing notes, observation charts and documentation during treatment or stay-in-hospital, laboratory test results, pharmaceutical records, radiological scans, images and reports, blood transfusion records, physiotherapy and rehabilitative treatment records, clinical findings, as well as diagnosis and treatment prescribed records.

    But in a preliminary objection filed by the DSS, the security outfit urged the court to dismiss the suit for want of jurisdiction.

    It argued that there was a subsisting judgement of a sister court delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo (rtd.) on June 3, 2022 in suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1585/2021 between Kanu and DG of DSS and two others wherein the court dealt substantially with the issue of allowing the IPOB leader access to his personal physician.

    It said the instant suit was similar to the earlier one and that Kanu had filed an appeal against the judgment.

  • Gov Mbah didn’t forge NYSC certificate– DSS report

    Gov Mbah didn’t forge NYSC certificate– DSS report

    The Department of State Services, DSS, has countered the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, to the effect that the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 general election and incumbent governor of the state, Dr. Peter Mbah, forged his NYSC discharge certificate.

    The service in a report tendered to the Enugu Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday, also lampooned the NYSC of shoddy and hasty investigation in coming to the conclusion that Mbah’s NYSC discharge certificate was fake, saying that certificates in Mbah’s series were found to have been issued to corps members in Lagos, contrary NYSC’s claim.

    This came as the LP immediately countered the report, describing it as personal and not emanating from the DSS because it did not bear the letterhead and stamps of the service.

    The DSS had in a Statement on Oath adopted by its representative, Mr. Yahaya Isa Mohammed, at the ongoing Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Enugu, disclosed that the NYSC had misplaced Mbah’s original file and opened a temporary one for him, after he had returned back from Law School to complete his NYSC.

    Mohammed, who is the DSS Deputy Director, Operations and Strategic Department, was subpoenaed to give evidence in defense of Mbah’s NYSC certificate.

    He noted that NYSC was also unable to trace to whom or which state or states of the federation 12 of its certificates, A808297 to A808308 were issued, adding that the security agency commenced investigation into the discharge certificate controversy following a petition to it by Dr. Mbah dated February 8, 2023.

    He added that Mbah’s NYSC certificate issue arose because the NYSC had issues with maintaining a proper record keeping system.

    Mohammed said in their findings, they discovered the following:

    “Mbah served for six months and went to Law School and later completed his youth service

    “We discovered that Peter brought application from Law School through the Lagos State NYSC office to national headquarters

    “The correspondence has a reference number: and the letter was replied permitting him to go to law school. After his Law School, he reapplied through the same means for reinstatement to complete his service

    “We discovered a temporary file was used for reference. That means his initial file could not be traced.

    “NYSC provided the six-series certificate which was signed and collected by corps members and the eight series

    “We discovered that the numbers are in series. But NYSC could not account for 12 certificates among which includes Mbah’s certificate”.

    However, during cross examination, LP lead counsel, Chief Adegoke Awomolo (SAN), observed that the report presented by the DSS official did not come with the letterhead and stamps of the security agency as against the normal practice, and sought to know the reason from Mohammed, to which he responded that his signature sufficed.

    Also, when asked why he did not come to the court with authorizing letter or directive by the Director General of the DSS, Mohammed, said he appeared in court because of the subpoena.

    Furthermore, when the DSS official was asked why the report he presented did not have attached documents backing his statement, he also answered that they were in his office.

    When he was asked if his investigation revealed that Mbah became the Chief of staff to the then governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani between July 10, 2003 and November 2003, the same period he was supposed to be serving as corps member, Mohammed said no, adding that it was not within his purview to investigate that.

    Earlier, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Wednesday, failed to present any witness to defend the allegation by candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Chijioke Edeoga, that the 2023 governorship election that produced Peter Mbah as governor was manipulated.

  • CJN opens up on alleged phone conversation with Tinubu

    CJN opens up on alleged phone conversation with Tinubu

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has disclosed there were no conversations between him and anyone concerning Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT).

    Ariwoola made the clarification in a statement issued by Dr Akande Festus, the Supreme Court Director of Press and Information on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The CJN was reacting to the allegations currently circulating in the social media space that he had a telephone conversation with President Ahmed Tinubu and the Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS).

    “The report hinted that the conversation was with a view to pressurize the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) on the likely judgment to give; it is imperative to state clearly that there is no iota of truth in the narrative, as there was no such telephone conversation between the CJN and anyone.

    “Nigerians have been following the proceedings at the PEPC with admirable enthusiasm.

    “So, it is advisable we all sustain the tempo and follow it up to the end, instead of relapsing into the realm of speculations and rumour peddling that will not do anyone any good.

    “If this current trend of falsehood and mudslinging is sustained, our nation may not make the desired progress,’’ he added.

    He said the courts are statutorily established to serve the best interest of the masses and the CJN is ever poised to do that to the best of his ability.

    “We wish to plead with everyone to cooperate with the judiciary to serve the country to its full capacity, as no one will ever be favoured against the other in any dispute.

    “The rule of law and supremacy of the Nigerian constitution will always be upheld and applied in every matter that comes before the courts as the facts presented and the subsisting laws must be applied in determining the merit or otherwise of each matter.

    “The public should rest assured that justice will be done to all matters pending in the various courts across the country, irrespective of who is involved’’.

  • Emefiele: Coalition seeks suspension of DSS boss over agency’s ‘IPOB lawyers’ gaffe

    Emefiele: Coalition seeks suspension of DSS boss over agency’s ‘IPOB lawyers’ gaffe

    A coalition of lawyers under the aegis of Lawyers in Defence of Democracy, has said that the allegation by Department of State Services, DSS that the lawyers defending suspended Governor of Central Bank, CBN Godwin Emefiele are IPOB members, is provocative and anti-igbo.

    There was outrage nationwide on Monday over allegation by Department of State Services, DSS that the lawyers defending suspended Governor of Central Bank, CBN Godwin Emefiele are IPOB members.

    The Department of State Services on Tuesday described the lawyers who filed contempt charges against DSS Director-General, Yusuf Bichi, over the continued detention of embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele as “charge and bail lawyers”.

    The service in a series of tweets posted via its official handle noted that the lawyers were headed by an “overzealous and uninformed IPOB/ESN lawyer”.

    The secret police said: “Charge and bail, overzealous uninformed IPOB/ESN lawyer Maxwell Okpara mobilises other like-minded lawyers against DG.SSS. Futile Efforts. Well, Nigerians, beware! This is in bad faith. Transferred aggression. A Biafran Republic agitator and Outlawed IPOB counsel defending the suspended CBN Governor. Is IPOB defending one of theirs.”

    Reacting to what it describes as “unprofessional conduct and ethnic profiling by the DSS,” the coalition of lawyers in a statement signed by Tijani Ahmed and Maxwell Opara demanded sack of director general of DSS, Yusuf Bichi, saying that the DSS is anti-igbo, and outburst is evidence that Emefiele is being held on personal vendetta.

    They noted that the DSS statement is an insult to the sacred institution of the judiciary, hence President Bola Tinubu should ensure the suspension or sack of the DG for such unprofessional conduct.

    The lawyers wondered why and how the secret police arrived at the baseless conclusion that the lawyers are IPOB members.

    They added that the outburst is part of their plans to silence Emefiele’s lawyers because they clearly have nothing against him.

    The groups said: “The DSS is clearly frustrated. They have nothing against Emefiele. This is just an example of kettle calling pot black. A rogue agency who at several occasions refused to obey court orders, is pointing fingers at someone else.

    “How can an intelligence agency, write this kind of trash on her official Twitter handle? A total disgrace. A nation’s secret police tweeting something so irresponsible. The APC led government need to prove to Nigerians that the DSS is an agency of the nation not the political elite by sacking Yusuf Bichi now!!!. We are waiting, the international community is watching. This is disgraceful. We won’t tolerate any disrespect to the judiciary.”

  • Emefiele: ‘Outlawed IPOB counsel defending him’ — DSS

    Emefiele: ‘Outlawed IPOB counsel defending him’ — DSS

    The Department of State Services (DSS) tackled person Maxwell Okpara, the counsel of the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

    DSS in a series of tweets on Tuesday, accused Okpara of mobilising “other like-minded lawyers” against Yusuf Bichi, director-general of DSS, over Emefiele’s detention.

    The service wrote: “Charge and bail, overzealous uninformed IPOB/ESN lawyer Maxwell Okpara mobilises other like minded lawyers against DGSS. Futile Efforts. Well, Nigerians, beware! This is in bad faith. Transferred aggression.

    “Is IPOB defending one of theirs? What a contradiction. What’s the connection? Is someone telling us something? May Maxwell be properly educated on points of law, please.”

    Okpara is one of the lawyers fighting to secure the release of the embattled CBN governor.

  • DSS, customs intercept container load of guns headed for South-East 

    DSS, customs intercept container load of guns headed for South-East 

    The Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) has intercepted a container load of guns headed for the South-east in Lagos.

    The container was intercepted at Ports & Terminal Multi-Services Ltd (PTML) and Tin-Can Island Ports.

    According to the acting comptroller-general of Customs, Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, the container was heading for the south-east region of the country.

    Adeniy noted that the discovery were made during a joint inspection exercise between Customs, Nigeria Police, the Department of State Security (DSS), and the National Drug Law Enforcement and Administration (NDLEA).

    “Since assuming the role of Acting Comptroller General, our dedicated officers and men have demonstrated unwavering commitment to their responsibilities. Their diligence and perseverance have been the cornerstone of our operations,” Adeniyi said.

    “Our actions within the NCS have been driven by a deep sense of purpose and guided by the mantra of renewed hope, which underpins the current administration’s vision. We recognize the significance of our role in contributing to the overall objectives of the President Tinubu led Administration, as articulated in the Road Map of the Policy Advisory Council document,” he said.

    He revealed that the declaration of a state of emergency in revenue generation and national security has further aligned NCS activities with the government’s overarching goals.

    “Pursuant to this commitment, I stand before you today to highlight the recent achievements of the NCS in our ongoing efforts to suppress smuggling and safeguard national security. Some of our dedicated and diligent officers uncovered some smuggled arms and ammunition while on duty at various Commands and formations.

    “On July 5, 2023, during a joint operation with the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Security, the National Drug Law Enforcement and Administration, and the Customs Intelligence Unit at the Ports Terminal and Multi Services Limited (PTML) Command, a thorough physical examination of a 40ft container was conducted.

    “The examination revealed the concealment of 10 dangerous arms and various rounds of live ammunition inside plastic drums. The details are: three new Pump Action rifles and one new unit of an armed rifle; six new different makes of pistols; one new millennium G2 pistol; one new sarsilmaz SAR-9X pistol; one new Lugger Security-9 pistol; one new Taurus Banbridge G3C pistol; one new SCCY CPX-2 pistol, one new Taurus (63 pistol); 14 empty magazinesd; and 442 rounds of live ammunition.

    “The clearing agent, Mr Shokunbi Olanrewaju of Shooler Global International Ltd and Mr Joseph Nwadiodor, who was expected to take delivery of the container, are currently detained as suspects in connection with the seizure.

    “Similarly, within the same period, the Tin-Can Island Port Command of the Service, while acting on credible intelligence; subjected a 1by40ft container to 100 per cent physical examination with the relevant security agencies at the ports.”