August 8, 2018
Press Release
CACOL LAUDS DSS BOSS’s APPIONTMENT TERMINATION, CALLS FOR REFORM OF SECURITY AGENCIES
The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, has applauded the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, on the decision to sack the Director-General of the Department of State Service, Lawal Daura on Tuesday, just after the barbaric siege which was discharged by agents of the DSS at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
While reacting to the laudable action of the Ag President, the Executive Chairman of the Centre, Mr. Debo Adeniran, averred that: “Nigeria as a country is usually perceived to be working better when under pressure. We tend to do the right things at remarkable speed when we are at the eleventh hour after turning a blind eye to repeated cases of violation of certain rights which the citizenry are meant to enjoy”
Mr. Adeniran further observed that: “The DSS has portrayed itself as a department which is outrageously power drunk and with little or no regards for individual’s rights. This perception is evident in the mode of operation with examples like the two contradictory ‘security reports’ submitted to the presidency and the National Assembly on the Ag Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu; the usurpation of ICPC powers when residences of judges were invaded for suspicious evidence of corruption; unlawful detention of a reporter, Mr. Jones Abiri; Senator Abaribe, the pro IPOB lawyer; Mr. Gabriel Suswam for the Benue killings. The list goes on and nothing seems to be done about this.
CACOL, through its Executive Chairman added that, “the agents who carried out these unlawful orders are only doing their jobs. Agents of the Military or para-militatary institutions are characterized by carrying out any given order from their superiors without questioning. Thus, the security agents who barricaded the National Assembly Complex yesterday who, even attested that the order were from an undisclosed ‘above’, are no exception.
The Ag. President is not wrong for dismissing the Director General of the Service as he is in charge of any order or activity that has been carried out by the Department he directs”.
The Centre commended the Acting President and advised the Administration to review and reform security agencies in the nation:
“CACOL commends Professor Yemi Osinbajo on this directive as the Acting President in curtailing a dysfunctional virus, which the DSS head has now become, before it infects and paralyzes the entire body which sends a very strong deterrent that lawlessness, impunity and disregard of individual rights will not be tolerated in our democracy. The anti-corruption Centre’s boss also urges Daura to present the fabled people ‘above’ who gave the inglorious order if he feels the decision is being unjust on him.
The Centre finally urged the Administration to set up an independent body with a mandate to review and reform the mode in which security agencies carry out their operations throughout the country as the number of complaints keeps increasing overtime with very little positive reports currently on their operations. These would strengthen the face our security system as a functional country while also giving the citizenry the desired level of peace of mind and optimal sense of security of lives and property.
Aghagbobi Ikenna
Ag. Media Officer, CACOL
08141121208
cacolc@yahoo.com,cacol@thehumanitycentre.com
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