Jesse Voyamba
The Department of State Security (DSS) has announced its intention to conduct a thorough investigation into the altercation that occurred between its officers and those of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) on Tuesday at the premises of a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. The scuffle ensued after the court granted N20 million bail to Emefiele, the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), leading to a custody dispute between the DSS and NCoS.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, described the incident as “unfortunate” and emphasized that it does not represent the professional conduct of the service. He reasserted the DSS’s utmost respect for the judiciary and its commitment to upholding its integrity.
“The DSS recognizes the Judiciary as a critical component in nation-building, national development, and security management,” Afunanya stated. “Furthermore, the service maintains a strong working relationship with sister security and law enforcement agencies, including the NCoS.”
Afunanya condemned the overzealousness displayed by personnel from both agencies during the incident. He confirmed that the DSS has initiated an internal investigation to ascertain the specific roles played by individuals involved and will take appropriate disciplinary actions if required. The service aims to learn from the situation and enhance its operations going forward.
He clarified, “For emphasis, the DSS has scrupulously adhered to the law in handling the Emefiele case, notwithstanding attempts by some to distort the facts. The service had previously alerted the public about attempts to undermine its leadership. As it carries out its responsibilities, the DSS remains committed to maintaining professionalism, ethical standards, and a strong sense of discipline.”
“The service will not be swayed by clout-seeking, fame-chasing, or delusional heroism. Instead, it will stay focused on fulfilling its national security mandate,” Afunanya assured.
