The Department of States Security Services has come under fire for a statement it released on Tuesday linking suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, with outlawed group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
This is as the DSS described the lawyers who filed contempt charges against DSS Director-General, Yusuf Bichi, over the continued detention of embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele as “charge and bail lawyers”.
The service in a series of tweets posted via its official handle noted that the lawyers were headed by an “overzealous and uninformed IPOB/ESN lawyer”.
The service said, “Charge and bail, overzealous uninformed IPOB/ESN lawyer Maxwell Okpara mobilises other like-minded lawyers against DGSS. Futile Efforts. Well, Nigerians, beware! This is in bad faith. Transferred aggression.
Charge and bail, overzealous uninformed IPOB/ESN lawyer Maxwell Okpara mobilises other like minded lawyers against DGSS. Futile Efforts. Well, Nigerians, beware! This is in bad faith. Transferred
aggression.— Department of State Services (DSS) (@OfficialDSSNG) July 18, 2023
“A Biafran Republic agitator and Outlawed IPOB counsel defending the suspended CBN Governor. Is IPOB defending one of theirs?
“What a contradiction. what’s the connection? Is someone telling us something? May Maxwell be properly educated on points of law, please.”
Some lawyers had filed a contempt charge against Bichi over alleged disobedience to multiple judgments and orders of the court directing the release of Emefiele from the custody of the agency.
The lawyers were led by Maxwell Okpara, one of the counsels to Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
The DSS tweets have since garnered reactions from a cross-section of Nigerians on social media:
DSS official Twitter page openly engaging in “Enthic Profiling” of the igbos in broad day light is the reason many people from the region are skeptical about the military invasion of south east.
People who say “The Igbos are always playing victim” don't know how painful this is!
— Chude Nnamdi (@chude__) July 18, 2023
Emefiele isn’t from South East sef. Don’t embarrass yourself and the institution you are working for! https://t.co/8fQJKAeMSY
— EL PATRON (@Hefkhay) July 18, 2023
Without verification one can’t even tell what is real or fake on this app. Is this the Nigerian secret service tweeting like a 20 year old living in their mother’s basement? Is there no level beneath which Nigeria cannot go? Or have I found a parody account? https://t.co/fQyEz4mlA7
— Elnathan John (@elnathan_john) July 18, 2023
Omo … Never thought such institution can condescend this low …
You are an investigative body that should be in the know ..
Why are you asking citizens ?? https://t.co/aIixpaCiyw— Jimmie Danjuma (@EmperorJabbani) July 18, 2023
This is very low of the DSS.
One would expect better but after detaining Emefiele for over a month and all you can charge him for is illegal possession of a gun, it is now expected. https://t.co/rX5gfuzr3v
— Dare Akinyemi (@Dharray007) July 18, 2023
And This Nigeria’s Official DSS Account ?
It’s Time The FG Sanction Those Responsible For This !
WTF !
This Is A Shame . https://t.co/UBYZMGpqPA— K Banky Of Lagos ✌️ (@KBanky1) July 18, 2023
