In a shocking turn of events, the Department of State Services (DSS) has sparked outrage and condemnation by publishing a provocative and unprofessional tweet targeting Abuja-based Human Right Lawyer Maxwell Okpara.
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The tweet, which remains undeleted on the official DSS Twitter handle (@OfficialDSSNG), accused Okpara of being an “overzealous uninformed” lawyer associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The controversial tweet went on to describe Okpara’s efforts to defend the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor as “futile,” further questioning the connection between IPOB’s support for him and the ongoing Biafran Republic agitation. The tweet concluded with a call for Okpara to be “properly educated on points of law.”
The tweet reads in full, “Charge and bail, overzealous uninformed IPOB/ESN lawyer Maxwell Okpara mobilises other like minded lawyers against DGSS. Futile Efforts. Well, Nigerians, beware! This is in bad faith. Transferred
aggression.”
A Biafran Republic agitator and Outlawed IPOB counsel defending the suspended CBN Governor. Is IPOB defending one of theirs???? What a contradiction…..hmmm…what’s the connection? Is someone telling us something? May Maxwell be properly educated on points of law, please.
The DSS’s tweet has caused an uproar among Nigerians, who view it as an inappropriate and unprofessional attack on an individual lawyer. Many have criticized the agency for using its official platform to engage in what appears to be a personal vendetta against Okpara, rather than addressing legal matters in a fair and unbiased manner.
Social media platforms have been flooded with reactions from citizens, lawyers, and human rights advocates demanding an explanation and accountability from the DSS for the tweet. Some have called for an investigation into the intentions behind the tweet and whether it reflects a broader bias within the agency.
Recall that some lawyers filed a contempt charge against Bichi over alleged disobedience to multiple judgments and orders of the court directing the release of Emefiele from the custody of the agency.
The lawyers were led by Maxwell Okpara, one of the counsels to Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
Charge and bail, overzealous uninformed IPOB/ESN lawyer Maxwell Okpara mobilises other like minded lawyers against DGSS. Futile Efforts. Well, Nigerians, beware! This is in bad faith. Transferred
aggression.— Department of State Services (DSS) (@OfficialDSSNG) July 18, 2023
Many Nigerians, who condemned the tweet, wondered why a government agency like the DSS would choose to use some of the words it used in the post.
A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, who expressed surprise at the statement, described it as disgusting.
This is from the official handle of our country’s secret police?
This is actually from the SSS official account. What a disgusting action. These tweets are utterly shameful and disgraceful. The personnel begin this account should be fired.
We cannot condone this as a country. https://t.co/CEg4QtxIlU
— Inibehe Effiong (@InibeheEffiong) July 18, 2023
Another lawyer, Abdul Mahmud, who called on Nigerians to beware of the DSS’ activities, slammed the statement as disgraceful.
Disgraceful. Coming from an agency that has gone rogue. Horsefal, Nwaoduah and others will be ashamed of what you’ve all turned the SSS into!
Nigerians, beware of the SSS!! https://t.co/KZ2nr6ET1i— Dr Great Oracle (@AbdulMahmud01) July 18, 2023
A user, Tony Atambi, who is also a lawyer, noted that the tweet was evidence that the Nigerian security institutions have been compromised.
If you’re still unsure as to whether our security institutions are compromised, this is your answer. They will obviously delete this and issue a statement. But remember that this is how they think within their walls. This is WHAT they represent. Our way farrrrrr! https://t.co/pEYhDm9rCD
— Tony Atambi Esq (@TonyAtambi) July 18, 2023
Reacting to the tweet, Gbenro Adegbola, another Twitter user, described the entire statement as bizarre. He said the tone and language in the post were very odd.
Bizarre post. Tone, phrasing and language, very odd. https://t.co/G3gS29qdBa
— Gbénró Adégbolá ن (@GbenroAdegbola) July 18, 2023
Our correspondent reached out to DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, for comments. But he did not respond. He did not respond to a message sent to him on WhatsApp though the app showed he read it.
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