Dogara: We’re probing DSS because its activities under Buhari have raised concerns

Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, says the lower chamber decided to set up a committee to investigate the Department of State Services (DSS) because its activities since May 29, 2015, have raised concerns.

There have been allegations of excesses on the part of the security agency since the government of President Muhammadu Buhari came on board.

Speaking while declaring open a two-day hearing on arrests and invasions carried out by the secret police, Dogara charged the committee probing the agency to make appropriate findings.

He said the investigation is the response of the parliament to the outrage that has followed the arrests.

“It is my singular pleasure to declare open the two-day investigative hearing of this distinguished committee set up consequent upon the resolution of the house to investigate the many incidents of invasion, search and arrest of Nigerian citizens by the State Security Service since 29th May, 2015,” he said.

“The activities of the Directorate of State Security Service of late have raised concerns in the Nigerian polity as to the propriety of the conduct of officials of the service and whether their actions are consistent with the law setting it up.

“These are matters for the committee to make appropriate findings of fact. It appears however that the main catalyst for this motion is the manner of the alleged invasion and search of the homes of Supreme Court justices and other senior justices of superior courts carried out by officials of the DSS, some of whom were said to be hooded, in the wee hours of the morning recently and the subsequent arrest and indeed prosecution of some of the Judges and justices.”

Dogara said the executive and legislative arms of government have been affected by DSS operations.

“The executive and legislative arms of some state governments have also been affected by these searches and arrests. These incidents have attracted solemn public interest and, therefore, become a matter of urgent national importance,” he said.

“As a critical part of the federal legislature responsible for making laws for the federation, it is imperative that we periodically and in a detached and objective way inspired only by the national interest, re-examine our laws against the background of unfolding events to establish that they have indeed been complied with and where this is not the case, to navigate a course that rectifies the errors and forestalls against future errors. It is also very critical that any investigation of this nature must have a legislative purpose as required by section 88 of the constitution.

“It is in this regard that I enjoin this committee to make relevant findings of fact that will enable the national assembly initiate the necessary amendments to the National Security Agencies Act and even the constitution where necessary to ensure conformity with the constitutional design and framework that envisages that federal legislative power should be domiciled in the national assembly and not shared with the executive in the manner provided under the Act. It is untidy it seems, to have multiple agencies exercising similar functions. The EFCC already handles issues of corruption and economic crimes in Nigeria. Should the State Security Service also be charged with the same functions?

“I understand that the foundations have already been laid and that all concerned and affected persons and relevant agencies of government are being afforded a fair opportunity to be heard. That is as it should be for fair hearing is fundamental in any quasi judicial proceedings.”