DSS threatens lawsuit against two broadcast stations

From Okwe Obi, Abuja

The Department of State Services (DSS) has threatened two broadcast stations with a lawsuit over what it described as “false and malicious reports” against the agency by the organisations.

According to the security agency, Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Channels Television both aired false reports against it regarding the crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday.

The broadcast stations had reported that the DSS “stormed/invaded” the Assembly on Monday during the crisis.

However, the security agency, through its lawyer, Chief Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), said the agency was invited to beef up security and did not invade the Assembly grounds.

The two separate letters to the broadcast stations, dated 17 February 2025, read:

“First, it must be stated that our client, in carrying out its core statutory mandate of collection of intelligence for good governance and national safety, and upholding and enforcing criminal laws of Nigeria, was invited to the Lagos State House of Assembly, vide a letter dated 14th February 2025, written to it by the Acting Clerk of the said State House of Assembly. A copy of the letter is herewith attached.

“Our client was invited by the Acting Clerk to come and support the security operatives attached to the Lagos State House of Assembly from Sunday, 16th February 2025, in order to forestall an imminent breakdown of law and order, following the information that the former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Obasa, planned to resume office on the 18th of February 2025, a plan which he (the Acting Clerk) believed poses a potential security threat to the Assembly and its members.

“However, without any verification of the reason for the presence of our client’s officials at the Lagos State House of Assembly on the 17th of February 2025, your organisation maliciously and falsely broadcast, both on your news bulletin and print media, that our client had invaded/stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly with a view to preventing the members and Speaker from entering the chamber for plenary.

“By this publication, our client, which is a highly responsible and respected organisation, was portrayed as an irresponsible and reckless organisation, who, in a Gestapo manner, invaded/stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly to support one of the feuding parties and to desecrate the hallowed chambers.

“Your publication and/or broadcast has greatly injured the character of our client and tarnished and lowered its esteemed image in the eyes of the public.

“Having regard to the fact that your broadcast was false and coupled with the fact that you did not ensure balance in your report, as enjoined by the ethics of journalism, our client has instructed us to demand the following:

An immediate retraction of your defamatory publication and/or broadcast on all your news platforms.

The retraction shall be accompanied by an apology, which must be published for at least five (5) times daily for three consecutive days on all your news channels and platforms, including all the social media handles to which your media house has its presence.

“Please note that, should you fail to comply with the above demands within a period of seven (7) days after the delivery of this letter to you, we shall, on behalf of our client, seek redress by pursuing both civil and criminal actions against your organisation, as your conduct also runs contrary to the provisions of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015, as amended in 2024, without further reference to you.”