The Department of State Services (DSS) has said that it has identified a planned campaign of calumny by some persons over the ongoing investigation of the suspended Governor of Central Bank, Mr Godwin Emefiele.
Spokesman of the DSS, Peter Afunanya
said in a statement on Saturday that the groups intend to gather in locations in Abuja and Lagos to blackmail government and demand immediate release of the suspended CBN Governor.
Afunanya warned those behind the planned protests to desist immediately as the agency has put the leaders of the group under watch with a view to arresting them.
Afunanya noted that the service would not intimidated from carrying out its responsibilities.
He also said that the DSS is aware of a cheap propaganda designed to distract it from its security responsibilities to the nation.
The DSS Spokesman stated further m that the service was aware of moves to infiltrate it through the use disloyal members of staff to subvert its leadership.
He said that DSS had ensured that the family of Emefiele and doctors have access to him from the first day of his arrest even before the order requesting the service to do so.
He stressed that the DSS carried out its duties transparently and professionally in adherence to the rule of law and democratic governance.
The full statement: “The Department of State Services (DSS) has identified persons and groups planning to stage campaigns of calumny against it and the Government over the suspension and investigation of Mr Godwin Emefiele. Such groups intend to gather at different points in Abuja and Lagos in the coming week with placards depicting the Service and Government in bad light as well as calling for the immediate release of Emefiele. The Service is, therefore, aware of a cheap propaganda aimed at demotivating and distracting it from professionally executing the onerous responsibilities assigned to it.
“It has also noted the misleading commentaries, speculative narratives, storylines and videos being circulated in the social media by uninformed parties, critics and/or desperadoes. It is mindful of orchestrations to infiltrate its fold for the purpose of using disloyal staff for subversive aims against its leadership. While these efforts are considered as hatchet jobs designed to distract, the Service warns the plotters to desist forthwith from their plans. This is more so that the arrow heads are already under watch and will be apprehended when and if it becomes necessary.
“It is instructive to state that the Service had granted the family of Emefiele, medical officials and appropriate persons access to him, right from the day he was taken in and long before the court order requesting so. The Service implements Standards Operating Procedures on Suspect Handling and Investigation to the latter. It conducts its affairs transparently, professionally and respects the rule of law in compliance with democratic governance.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it assures of its professionalism in the current matter(s) under its purview. It will, however, not be distracted or intimidated.”
