The Department of State Services (DSS) has said it has no case against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in any court in the country.
Spokesman of the service, Dr. Peter Afunanya made the clarification on Friday.
A citizen, Somadina Uzoamaka had in a suit marked FCT/HC/GAR/CV/47/2022 approached the High Court of the FCT seeking to, among others, compel the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, to resign his position over alleged fake asset declaration.
Specifically, the plaintiff sought an order of mandatory injunction directing and compelling the INEC chairman to recuse, excuse and exclude himself and or step down as the chairman of INEC pending the investigation and consideration of the various allegations against him by the various law enforcement agencies.
The plaintiff also sought an order of court stopping the INEC chairman from holding or assuming any public office for a period of 10 years.
Joined as respondents in the suit were the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the INEC Chairman.
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In his ruling on Wednesday, Justice M. A. Hassan held that Prof Yakubu’s asset declaration was lawful, valid, and in compliance with the law.
He barred the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police, and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) from arresting Yakubu.
But in its Friday statement, the DSS blamed a newspaper for creating non-existent controversy by reporting a court order out of context.
According to the secret police, the January 5 online newspaper report is headlined, “Court Stops DSS from Arresting INEC Chairman”.
“The Service has discovered that the newspaper skewed what transpired in the Court and reported it out of context. It is against this backdrop that the Service pointed out its disapproval to the Editorial authorities of the Newspaper. The outfit, which though, argued that what was reported in its online version was different from the hard copy, promised to address the concerns raised but did not.
“This statement, however, becomes important to guide public understanding and perception, especially that the said report is misleading. It falsely left an impression that the Service went to Court against the INEC Chairman.
“Nonetheless, the Service is aware of the antics of some mischievous elements who are desirous of fomenting crisis in the country, including creating unnecessary controversies around the forthcoming general elections.
“One of their strategies is to subvert the efforts of the Service in ensuring peaceful coexistence and harmony. Another is a determination to overheat the polity and subtly exploit the judiciary to distract or even undermine not only the Service but other security and law enforcement agencies from undertaking their constitutional roles.
“The DSS, therefore, warns these individuals and groups to desist from their devious plans. It also advises all critical stakeholders to be vigilant and resist attempts to use them to thwart the law.
“While assuring Nigerians and the International Community of the Service’s commitment to the maintenance of law and order, including an accomplishment of a free and fair 2023 election as already pledged by Mr President and Commander-in-Chief, the Service urges all and sundry to join in the pursuit of national stability and unity,” Afunanya stated.
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