Less than three weeks after it’s scribe knocked media outlets, as well as some Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) following their critique of the arrest of the former Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN] Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, and the former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Mr. Abdulrasheed Ibrahim Bawa, the Department of State Services (DSS) has again lashed out at the media over reports that it is allegedly mopping up criminal files of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It could be recalled that News Band had, on June 20, 2023, reported that DSS Public Relations Officer, Dr. Peter Nnochirionye Afunanya, knocked various news media over Mr. Emefiele and Mr. Bawa.
Reacting in a piece entitled “The DSS operates within its mandate”, Dr. Afunanya claimed that it was a coordinated attack against the agency.
Some of the media outlets on the receiving end of the fury of Mr. Afunanya include Vanguard, Daily Trust, The Sun, Tribune and Punch, while the SANs at the short end of his stick are Olisa Agbakoba SAN, Mike Ozekhome SAN and Femi Falana SAN.
In the recent development, SaharaReporters, Peoples Gazette and other media outlets had reported that the secret service agency stormed the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and carted away certain files alleged to indict Tinubu from them.
In a press release entitled “DSS dismisses online media allegations against it“, dated 9th July, 2023, Afunanya singled out sections of the online media particularly SaharaReporters, Peoples Gazette and journalist Jackson Ude in his attack.
He stated: “The so called news platforms variously and wrongly fed the public with misleading narratives and accusations against the Service.
“For instance, SaharaReporters wrote that the Service stormed the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and carted away certain files from them.
“Jackson Ude falsely claimed that there is a rumble in the DSS due to nepotism. He further accused the Service of snooping on Judges on the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
“On its part, Peoples Gazette reported that Senator Abdulaziz Yari was arrested for alleged refusal to pick the President’s phone call (whatever that meant).
“There are other variants of unsubstantiated and anonymous petitions flying around against the DGSS, his family and some officials.
“The Service ordinarily would not have responded to these inaccuracies but for the fickle minded and vulnerable persons as well as the unsuspecting public that may take the lies for facts.”
Afunanya said that DSS did not execute operations of any kind at the ICPC and CCB or remove files from their offices, noting that the two agencies have refuted the news.
According to him, it is petty, laughable that Yari was invited for refusing to pick the President’s call.
“This is the height of junk journalism. Yari knows why he was invited.
“In fact, the Service denies all the allegations as they lack any factual basis or credibility. They are only figments of the creators’ imaginations,” he added.
He accused the publishers of the media outfits in question of notoriety for peddling fake news, sensational and gutter journalism without modicum of proper and civilised behaviour, indulging in character assassinations and blackmail.
“It is not in doubt that their reports under reference are hatchet jobs designed to smear or impeach the integrity of the Service and its leadership. Notably, the Service proactively alerted the public about this development earlier in June, 2023.
“While it is aware of the sponsors of these campaigns of calumny, it will simply allow them to exhaust themselves knowing too well that they would someday be brought to justice. Many days, it is said, are sure for the thief but there will be that one day for the owner of the house,” he warned.
He further noted that “the writers and their sponsors are oblivious of the accolades the Service has continued to receive from majority of stakeholders for excellent performance and its professional demeanour in handling many critical issues of national importance.
“Rather, they have chosen to use their platforms to subvert the Agency and undermine its capabilities.”
He restated DSS’ respect for the rule of law, independence and autonomy of other agencies including the Judiciary and Legislature.
He assured that the agency will not shirk its responsibilities or allow some detractors to prevent it from undertaking its statutory duties or carrying out lawful orders by constituted authorities.
“If Yari or anyone else is to be invited or taken into custody, the Service will not hesitate to do so as far as that is procedurally done within the confines of the law.
“The Service will remain focused, resilient, patriotic and professional in the conduct of its affairs, he maintained.
Finally, Afunanya enjoined members of the public to disregard the misleading stories which are aimed at causing disaffection in the country and disparaging the Service’ leadership.
“The Service will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to address security challenges in the country in line with its mandate and the directives of the President” and “it does not matter how many times naysayers and hostile agents will plan to distract it,” he added. Read more.
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