Sowere’s Arrest: Why Wole Soyinka Should Not Complain

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December 11, 2019

By Dons Eze

I laugh with scorn when some people begin to make noise about members of the Department of State Security (DSS) allegedly entering into a court room to re-arrest Omoyele Sowore who was earlier released on bail a day before, after spending about 140 days in the facility of the undercover police. They said that what the DSS did was an anathema, a desecration of the sacred institution of the judiciary.

Who told them that? I wonder why some people would be making noise about Sowore being re-arrested and where he was arrested. What is so special about Sowore? Is he too big to be arrested? If he had committed an offence he must certainly be made to account for that. What of the so many other people who had been arrested and detained for one crime or the other? Why is his own so special, so different?

They said that the DSS violated the sanctity of the court, a sacred institution. And so what? Are courts the only institution in Nigeria that have been desecrated or violated under the present administration? How about churches where some people entered and slaughtered people, both priests and worshipers alike? What did they do about it? Nothing. They only made some little noise and there it ended.

What about the National Assembly which was invaded in 2017 by the same DSS operatives? Was it not what had now put Yemi Osinbajo, who then was Acting President in trouble when he had the audacity to sack Lawal Daura, the then boss of DSS, while the President was on medical leave in London? They never forgave him, and will never forgive him for that irresponsible act.

Now, they want another DSS boss to be fired. But that wouldn’t happen. They are merely dreaming. Do they think that the DSS would have contemplated going to invade the National Assembly, or the courts, if there was no powerful person behind them, if they had no godfather?

Do you remember somebody called Rafindadi between 1984 and 1985? He was a very powerful man then. He was the boss of the former Nigerian Security Organization (NSO). At that time, Rafindadi and his men were arresting and detaining people at random. Many people feared him and dared not do anything thing that could attract his attention, because they knew that he had a powerful godfather. It was after the godfather was overthrown that a lot of sordid things inside the NSO were revealed.

Now, the godfather is back. Because he wanted power badly, and at all costs, he told us that he had changed, that he had become “a converted democrat”! We believed him and trusted him. But will you ever believe a lion, that it was no longer carnivorous, that it has become a lamb, harmless? If you will, then try to go close by and see if it will not tear your body to pieces.

Why should Wole Soyinka be telling our President to call his “dogs” to order? Hope he was not referring to the DSS, otherwise he could be charged with treasonable felony for insulting or maligning a powerful agent of the administration?

In 1984, Wole Soyinka told us that he was checking out of the country because, he was “tired of dialogue with the deaf”. But in 2015, Soyinka believed that the “deaf” man had been healed. He became his toast. He then told us to begin to queue behind the man in the election. And we did. Why he is complaining now beats one’s imagination.

Omoyele Sowore was a very powerful force behind the “Occupy Nigeria” campaign in 2014 following a marginal increase in the pump price of petroleum products by the Goodluck Jonathan administration. Every one of them wanted Jonathan out, because the man “is weak” and “clueless”. Now, we have a “strong” President. Why are they making noise? Why are they complaining?

Under a “weak” President, petrol sold at N87 a litre, but under a “strong” President, it is selling at N145 a litre. Under a “weak” President, Nigeria attained the status of the strongest economy in Africa, but under a “strong” President, Nigerian economy went into recession. Under a “weak” President, court orders were obeyed, and there was no prisoner of conscience, but under a “strong” President, court orders are disobeyed, while our prison yards are filled up with political prisoners.

It’s pity that those we have rejected in Nigeria have become the toasts of the world. Jonathan is now the new face of democracy in Africa. He is all over the continent midwifing democracy. But he cannot do it in his own country. Ngozi Okonjo-Iwuala is it every business roundtable in every part of the world. Olenma Otteh is with the World Bank formulating policies, while Akinwunmi Adesina is doing great magic at the African Development Bank.

The problem with Nigerians is that we do not value what we have. Many of us also have no sense of history, or have very short memory, or are very selfish and myopic, otherwise, Omoyele Sowore would have known that to ride on the back of a tiger is never a jolly ride, because any such a person would eventually end up in the tiger’s belly.

Buhari Sacks Banire As AMCON Chairman, Appoints Another Northerner

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The Source

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December 10, 2019

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By Akinwale Kasali

Former All Progressives Congress, APC, Legal Adviser, Muiz Banire on Tuesday became another casualty of the gale of sack that has befallen the South-west in the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Government.

Banire until Tuesday was the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON. He was sacked by President Buhari, who appointed Edward Lametek Adamu in his place.

The sack was contained in a letter read on the floor of the Senate by the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan.

The letter, dated December 9, 2019, reads: “In accordance with Section 10(1) of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Act, 2010, I hereby present Mr. Edward Lametek Adamu for confirmation as Chairman of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria by the Distinguished Senate.

“While hoping that this request will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the Senate, please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Banire was appointed AMCON Chairman in 2018, following a disagreement between him and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the alleged imposition of Local Government Chairmen in Lagos State, which Banire was against. It led to a war of words between the duo.

The sack of Banire came a day after President Buhari failed to extend the term of Babatunde Fowler as the Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, replacing him with Muhammad Nami was appointed in his place. Both men, Northerners, took over from Southerners: South-west

2023: Buhari’s Men Take Over Money Spinning Agencies

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Bayo Bernard

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December 10, 2019

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By Fola James

Former Chairman, Federal Internal Revenue Service, FIRS, Babatunde Fowler lobbied the presidency to allow him retain his job but was rebuffed, the magazine has learnt.

In a letter dated December 9, 2019 the sacked FIRS boss pleaded with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha to allow him continue with his job.

He enumerated his achievements, appealing that he should be considered for reappointment because he needed to consolidate on his good works in the agency in the last four years.

But President Buhari ignored his plea and appointed Mohammed M. Nami to take over as the executive chairman of the revenue generating agency.

With the appointment, President Buhari has again drawn the anger of critcs who described him as a nepotic leader.

The president has come under fire for appointing majorly people of northern extraction to juicy positions in his government.

The appointment of Nami, who has effectively taken over FIRS during a brief ceremony at the agency’s head office in Abuja has therefore added to the number of northern politicians controlling major revenue agencies in the country.

The NNPC, government’s oil company is headed by Abba Kyari from Borno state, same place where Nami hailed from.

Mordecai Ladan from Niger state is the head of the DPR, while Hamid Ali, a retired colonel, is the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS.

The PPPRA is headed by another northerner, Abubakadir Saidu from Katsina the president’s home state.

Also on the list is Hadiza Bala Usman, the managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA. She’s also from Katsina state.

“President Buhari has now made sure that ahead the 2023 general election, the economy is now fully in the hands of his henchmen.

There’s a big implication in that because you need money to contest election in Nigeria.

I agree to some suggestions that Buhari is trying to empower the north with the war chest to defeat candidates from other part of the country who may want to take a shot at the presidency in 2023.” Gbenga Kamoru a politician in Lagos told the magazine on Tuesday.

Fowler Lobbied for Reappointment, Became the First of Those Whose Tenure Expired to Be dropped

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Uche Mbah

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December 10, 2019

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By Uche Mbah

Buhari’s non re appointment of Babtunde Fowler as the Chief taxman of the Federation came as no surprise to many discerning Nigerians, even though he was alleged to have lobbied to be retained.

Fowler was relieved of his duties at the expiration of his tenure Monday, which President Buhari could have renewed but did not in his wisdom. He was replaced by Mohammed Nami, a Tax Consultant. The presidential approval for his removal came on the dot of his tenure expiration, making Nigerians wonder at the speed of removal. But this magazine learnt that he lobbied to be retained and was turned down.

If a leaked memo he allegedly sent to the Presidency is to go by, he represented himself for re appointment but was apparently turned down.

With this, he became one of the few whose tenure has expired and was not renewed.

President Buhari appears not to be disposed towards relieving the duties of his people whose tenure expires. He even extends some peoples tenure, like he did to Abdulkarim Dauda, his Personal Chief Security Officer and nephew, who he unilaterally extended his tenure. Dauda was triple promoted to qualify for the position in the first place, and had his tenure extended after his statutory mandatory retirement age has been reached.

Below is a cursory look at those that their tenure has expired and who are still occupying their positions.

The Chief of army staff Tukur Buratai is still in office even though his tenure is said to have expired. Most of th e service chiefs were expected to go after the first tenure but have been acting in their capacity without their being submitted to the senate for reappointment..

Also, the Economic and Financial crimes Commission, EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu, who had been in acting capacity since his appointment, has now ended his tenure. He is still acting, and this, according to analysts, has been partly responsible for his not yet being represented to the Senate for confirmation. Besides, it is said that many serving Governors may not be comfortable with his reappointment and are fighting against it.

The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority Hadiza Bala Usman also may have had her tenure extended, together with the Comptrollers General Of customs and immigration.

These have fueled speculations on why the Taxman was axed and replaced by Nami.

Some claim the aim is to gradually helm in the Presidential ambition of Fowler’s alleged godfather, Bola Tinubu. With the appointment of Nami, all monetary and financial institutions are now manned by officers from the Nigerian Northern divide.

Buhari Nominates Muhammad Nami As New FIRS Boss

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The Source

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December 9, 2019

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By Akinwale Kasali

Following the non-renewal of Babatunde Fowler’s term as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the composition of a new board for the FIRS, subject to Senate confirmation.

The President nominated a renowned tax consultant, Muhammad M. Nami as the new chairman.

The board is composed of a member representing each of the six geographical zones and statutory representatives from a select number of ministries and government agencies.

In a statement released by the Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, he said President Buhari has named Muhammad Nami as Fowler’s replacement. Shehu described him as “a well-trained Tax, Accounting and Management professional with highly rated qualifications and professional practice and licenses from relevant professional bodies, and has almost three decades of practical working experience in Auditing, Tax Management and Advisory and Management services to clients in the banking, manufacturing, services and public sectors as well as non- profit organizations.”

Shehu stressed further that the new Chairman of the FIRS is an expert in rendering advisory support services to investors in respect of new business start-ups and management of existing businesses, and has also continuously rendered outsourced services to clients in trading, service and manufacturing sectors of the nation’s economy.

Nami attended Bayero University Kano and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology in 1991, and a Masters of Business degree 2004 respectively.

He is a fellow of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Institute of Debt Recovery Practitioners of Nigeria and Associate Member of Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) and Association of National Accountants of Nigeria.

He started his career with PFK in 1993 and rose to the position of a senior Consultant in charge of Tax management and advisory services. He is currently the managing consultant of Manam Professional Services (Chartered Tax Practitioners and Business Advisers) based in Kaduna, Abuja, Niger State.

Nami was appointed as a member, Presidential Committee on Audit of Recovered Stolen Assets in November 2017 by President Buhari.

Immediate Past Chairman of FIRS, Fowler, whose term of office expired on Monday, 9th December, 2019 is expected to hand over to the most senior director on the board, who will take charge, pending the Senate confirmation of the new board.

BREAKING: Maersk MD, Family, Attacked In Ikoyi Home; Wife Murdered

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The Source

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December 9, 2019

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By Gideon Njoku

The Hungarian wife of the Managing Director of Maersk Line, Gildas Tohouo, has been murdered in their Lugard Road, Ikoyi, home. She was murdered on Sunday in her Cul de Sac compound, where she lived with her husband, a Cameroonian.

Former Nigeria’s Head of Interim Government, Ernest Shonekan, also lives in the same compound.

She was killed during an armed robbery attack in their home.

There are three unconfirmed versions to the murder.

One version has it that the estate electrician, allegedly, came with a friend, and were allowed in on being recognised. They, then, allegedly, locked husband and wife in different rooms, after which the wife was, allegedly, forced to transfer some money to them, and her ATM card taken away.

She was forced to drink acid, and, allegedly, suffocated to death with a pillow.

However, her husband had an opportunity to phone his Chief Security Officer, who, in turn, called the Commissioner of Police. The Police arrested the culprits.

Mr Tohouo is injured, and is hospitalised.

A second version is told with the following sequence:

Mohammed Adamu - Police IG — Mohammed Adamu, Inspector General of Police

* Incident happened about 8 – 9pm, Dec. 8, 2019, while an expatriate, in the same building, was having a party.

*The building maintenance man/ electrician brought in an accomplice under the guise of being a guest to the party.

* Once in, and plan finalized, tripped the light to the victims residence and asked for access to victims apartment to resolve the fault.

* Being a known person, victim’s spouse gave access, and the two culprits proceeded to stab her fatally. MD was able to send SOS text before he was accosted and also stabbed severally.

* Maersk security team received SOS and mobilized with police to the location in Ikoyi.

* Suspects were arrested after a thorough search of the premises.

* Spouse confirmed dead while MD is reportedly responding to treatment.

But another unconfirmed version says a Security guard invited the electrician to join him in the robbery attack on the family. During the attack, Mrs Tohouo was killed and her husband injured. He is, allegedly, in a hospital in Victoria Island.

This version says the suspects were arrested, and are presently at the CID, Panti.

But this magazine gathered that the couple held a party in their flat Sunday night. After the party, there was a power outage in the flat. Whether the outage was a sabotage or not, was, however, not confirmed.

But the estate electrician came with an accomplice, and offered to fix it.

On opening the door for them, the suspects pounced on the couple, and stabbed both of them severally, instantly, killing the wife.

Bala Elkana, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the attack on the couple, and the death of the wife.

The incident has shaken Ikoyi residents to the marrow.

Sowore’s Arrest Claims One High Profile Victim

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The Source

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December 9, 2019

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By Akinwale Kasali

The embarrassing re-arrest of Omoleye Sowore inside a Federal High Court has claimed a victim.

The Wole Soyinka Center for investigative Journalism, WSCIJ, has rescinded its decision to honour Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in protest against Sowore’s re-arrest.

Sowore was re-arrested by the DSS, less than 24 hours after the Agency released him from a-125-day detention. The Agency had repeatedly refused to release him on bail, in disobedience to Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu’s order. It was forced to release him when Ojukwu gave the Agency a 24-hour to release him. But he was was inexplicably re-arrested when he went to Ojukwu’s court to report compliance by the DSS.

His re-arrest sparked outrage worldwide, and many were shocked that the Vice President, a Professor of Law, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, has said not a word. Instead, the Presidency issued a statement in support of the DSS.

According to Motunrayo Alaka, the Centre’s Director, in a statement released on Monday, the withdrawal aligned with protests against the repression of freedom of speech in recent times. Osinbajo, it alleges, is part of.

Alaka stressed that, especially, the incidence between the DSS and Sowore on Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja was the limit.

Said the Centre “the Vice President himself shares this awareness and the inappropriateness of the award at this point, because he is part of the government that has failed to respect the rule of law and the fundamental human rights of its citizen, despite the VP being a lawyer”.

The media has been reporting reactions on the non-reaction of Osinbajo and six other lawyers in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet. They are accused of keeping mum over acts of human rights violations, allegedly, carried out by the current government.

Sowore is facing a seven-count charge of treasonable felony, fraud, cyber-stalking and insulting President Buhari.

On different occasions, the court had ruled that he be granted bail, but the DSS failed to obey the court orders.

He was arrested on August 3 by the SSS for planning a protest popularised with the hashtag #RevolutionNow.

The WSCIJ award presentation programme is holding today at NECA House, Agidingbi, Lagos, by 6p.m. Over 13 journalists from print, online, television, radio, photo, and editorial cartoon categories will be celebrated.

It is an annual event, scheduled for every December 9 of every year, in commemorating the World Anti-corruption day and the World Human Rights Day to highlight the importance of investigative reporting as a tool for accountability, good governance and social justice in a democracy.

Fowler Bows Out As FIRS Boss

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The Source

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December 9, 2019

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By Akinwale Kasali

Babatunde Fowler, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, will today pass the baton of leadership to another person, as the Presidency has failed to give him a nod for another term in office.

Fowler’s reign in the saddle came to an end yesterday, Sunday 8th December, 2019, after assuming office on August 20th, 2015.

The former Lagos Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, Chairman, before he was appointed to the Federal parastatal, was a classmate to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

The failure to give Fowler a second term in office is still a surprise as he was deemed to have been doing well on the job.

The FIRS Establishment Act stipulates that the Executive Chairman of the FIRS should be appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the Senate, and he can serve two terms, only.

On December 9th, 2015, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Fowler, though, he had started carrying out his duty as the FIRS boss since August 2015, before the Senate confirmation in December 2015.

The magazine gathered that Fowler will handover to a Senior Director in the agency.

Speculations is, however, rife that the outgoing FIRS boss may handover to Coordinating Director Tax Group, Abiodu. Aina, who was also Special Adviser to Fowler when he was in the saddle.

Lagos: Tinubu Faces Scrutiny Over Jumbo Pension

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Bayo Bernard

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December 9, 2019

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Former Lagos state governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the biggest beneficiary of the controversial jumbo pay for ex-governors in the state, the magazine has learnt.

This may have been responsible for recent decision of the state House of Assembly not to repeal the state law allowing former chief executive officers of the state to draw multi-billion naira pension from the coffers of the state government.

Recall that a federal high court in Lagos, five days ago directed the Attorney General of the federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami to make sure that cash drawn by these former governors are refunded back to the state.

The court also directed the Justice Minister to challenge the legality of the law allowing ex-governors and others to receive such pay.

The directive only affects former governors serving as senators and other public service capacity.

But the state Assembly said it will not stop the juicy pay to the former governors.

Zamfara is the state in the country that has stopped the outrageous pension to those who have served as governors, deputy governors and Speakers of the state house of Assembly.

This came on the heels of repeal by the state Assembly the legislation allowing former state officials to collect juicy pay after they have left office.

But the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Tunde Braimoh said on Sunday that Lagos Assembly would not replicate Zamfara Assembly which recently repealed pension law for ex -governors.

He said the federal government determine for the state how it manages it affairs, insisting that the pension legislation was made in the interest of the state.

According to Braimoh “Therefore, legislators make laws that are in tune with the yearnings and dynamics of their society.

Until another legislature comes to alter, review or amend the law, the law is meant to be obeyed.

The judiciary cannot pronounce that a law by the state is unconstitutional unless such state law is contradictory to the constitution.”

Former Governor Tinubu government enacted the law which allowed him and his successors to benefit from the jumbo pay.

The other two ex-governors are Babatunde Fashola and Akinwumi Ambode.

Fashola, current minister of works has however denied benefiting from the large pay since he left office in 2015.

In that case, Tinubu may be the biggest beneficiary so far having left office 12 years ago.

The package includes the payment of huge monthly salary to the former governors, as well as buying houses for them in Abuja or Lagos, depending on their choice.

The benefits also include the purchase of three expensive cars for the former governors who have served in the state, every three years.

“Consider that Tinubu has been drawing 100 per cent of his monthly salary while in office from the state government since he left office in 2007, the amount he alone collected must be in billions,” said Jafar Kamal, a public affairs analyst.

Apart from this, Kamal who spoke with the magazine in Lagos said, the state has spent huge sums of money buying state of the art vehicles for Tinubu as part of the provision of the law.

“Those cars will be bullet proof or anti-ballistic vehicles which could cost up to N50m. The state government will also be the one maintaining the vehicles for him,” the analyst said.

He explained that there could be other hidden benefits not disclosed to the public for the former governor because of his position as the “Godfather of the state.”

Sowore: Buhari Frets As United States, Others Pile Pressure

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Bayo Bernard

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December 9, 2019

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FG May Lose Trump’s Support Against Boko Haram

By Fola James

The trenchant criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government over the re-arrest of Omoyele Sowore has hit the roof as the United States of America, USA State Department has joined the fray.

On Sunday, Sowore’s mother burst into tears while appealing to President Buhari to release his son, as he’s not a troublemaker.

She begged the Buhari’s administration to have mercy on his son who has spent a better part of this year in the custody of DSS.

His wife and children have passed through deep anguish over his incarceration, therefore, denying him the opportunity to spend the holiday with them will be unbearable, the mother said.

A US senator had earlier took the government to the cleaners after the publisher of Sahara Reporters was re-arrested last week at the court premises in Lagos by Department of State Services, DSS officials.

But the federal Government on Sunday said there was nothing wrong with the action of the secret police, insisting that the journalist cum politician will soon be charged for terrorism.

In a post on Twitter on Sunday, the State Department tweeting @StateDRL, said, the United States’ government is deeply worried that President Buhari’s government has failed to respect the rule of law over the Sowore’s issue, particularly after the court has ordered his release.

Disrespect to court order is a threat to the sustenance of Nigeria’s burgeoning democracy, the Donald Trump administration said.

“We are deeply concerned that #Sowore has been re-detained in #Nigeria shortly after a court ordered he be released on bail.

“Respect for rule of law, judicial independence, political and media freedom, and due process are key tenets of #democracy.

The US State Department’s position followed similar condemnation by top American lawmakers like Cory Booker and Bob Menendez, who both called for the respect of Sowore’s rights and his immediate release.

Meanwhile, the Presidency has thrown its weight behind the DSS, warning that it would not allow the breakdown of law and order in the country.

Presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, in a statement, defended DSS for doing their job, insisting that they do not require any clearance from President Buhari before carrying out their operations, contrary to the claims of critics.

He explained that no government will allow anyone to throw the country into chaos, adding that that’s exactly what Sowore did August 3, after the Convener of Revolution Now, called on Nigerians to embark of massive civil unrest against President Buhari’s government.

“He did so, on television, and from a privileged position as the owner of a widely read digital newspaper run from the United States of America.

He founded an organisation, Revolution Now, to launch, in their own words, “Days of Rage,” with the publicised purpose of fomenting mass civil unrest and the elected administration’s overthrow.

No government will allow anybody to openly call for destabilisation in the country and do nothing,” he said.

Meanwhile, Afenifere, a pan Yoruba political group, Ijaw Youth Congress, Professor Wole Soyinka and others have flayed federal government’s support for DSS.

Critics of the government told the magazine that the federal government will be very careful the way it handles the matter now that the US has waded in.

This has become so, they said, because the government could not afford to lose the support of President Trump over violation of human rights which that government takes seriously.