Emefiele: DSS Investigates Federal High Court Ikoyi Incident, Calls It Unfortunate

By Adesina Soyooye

“While noting that the Personnel from both Agencies (DSS and NCS) exhibited undue overzealousness, the Service has further initiated detailed investigations into the matter”

The Department of State Services, DSS, has described as unfortunate, the incident which happened  between its operatives and the officers of the Nigeria Correctional Services, NSC, at the premises of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Tuesday

The Personnel of the Service and those of the NCS had had an untidy confrontation over which Service should take custody of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele.

Emefiele was granted bail on Tuesday, July 25, 2023,  by the Honourable Justice Nicholas Oweibo to the tune of N20m and one surety in like sum. The Judge also ordered that he be remanded in the custody of the NSC pending when he would perfect his bail.

But, apparently, the DSS which arrested Emefiele in June after his suspension from office by President Bola Tinubu, and in which custody he had been, still had other issues to sort out with Emefiele and had an order from another Court to keep him till after investigation.

When Officers of the NCS made to take Emefiele into custody, an altercation erupted between them and the personnel of the DSS who also were there to take him back into custody. The altercation degenerated into a fistcuff between personnel of the two Agencies. The DSS eventually took Emefiele away.

But reacting on Wednesday, the DSS, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Dr. Peter Afunanya, regretted the incident and said it would thoroughly investigate it in order to prevent its reoccurrence. It also said disciplinary action would be taken, where necessary, against any of its officers found culpable.

For emphais, DSS said that its operations are rooted in the rule of law and professionalism, and that it did not support the incident of Tuesday, and would never support unruly behaviours from any of its personnel,

Following is the full text of the statement.

“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 and wish to state as follows:

“i. The incident was unfortunate and does not in any way reflect the professional disposition of the Organisation;

“ii. The Service has tremendous respect for the Judiciary as an arm and institution of Government and will never undermine it. The DSS recognises the Judiciary as a critical component in nation building, national development and security management;

“iii. 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 moving forward.

“For emphais, the Service has not broken any laws in handling the Emefiele case, (and did not, and would never, encourage the ugly incident of Tuesday) despite efforts by some elements to skew the narrarives to the contrary. The Service had since alerted the public of sinister plots to discredit its leadership.

“In pursuit of its assignments, it will strive to remain professional, maintain ethical standards and high sense of discipline. It will ensure that it will not be used for clout chasing or delusional heroism. It will, however, remain focused on its national security mandate and enjoin well-meaning Nigerians to support it in achieving the desired security goals for the nation.

“We have no other Country but Nigeria. We should join hands, with love and tolerance, to build it.

Emefiele is being prosecuted by the Federal Government on a two-count charge bordering on illegal possession of arms and firearms. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.