Department of state service, DSS, said on Wednesday that it will investigate the manhandling of Prisons officials by its operatives in the “unfortunate” incident on Tuesday at the Ikoyi Federal High Court in Lagos.
A viral video of fully-armed DSS officials raising hell at a temple of justice, in defiance of the order of the court, had outraged Nigerians and civil societies.
But reacting, the Spokesperson of the DSS, Peter Afunanya said “The incident was unfortunate and does not in any way reflect the professional disposition of the DSS”, promising that the secret police will investigate the show of shame.
“The Service did not and would never encourage the incident under reference. The Service has tremendous respect for the Judiciary as an Arm and Institution of Government and will not go out of its way to undermine it.
“The DSS recognises the Judiciary as a critical component in nation-building, national development and security management. Also, the Service has a robust working relationship with sister security and law enforcement agencies including the NCoS.”
The incident happened after Justice Nicholas Oweibo granted bail to the suspended Central Bank Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele in the sum of N20 millionn and a surety in like sum.
He also ordered his remand in prison until he met the conditions attached to his bail.
However fracas broke out when DSS operatives began to take steps to prevent Prison officials from taking Emefiele into custody as ordered by the judge.
More than twenty-four hours after, the presidency has remained mum over the incident, one of the ugliest in democratic Nigeria since 1999 and in the history of the administartion of justice in the country.
Mr. Emefiele had been arraigned on a charge of illegal possession of firearms.
He had pleaded not guilty.
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