DSS DG Bans Arrests Over Civil Disputes, Orders Operatives to Seek Legal Redress
The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, has directed operatives of the agency to refrain from arresting individuals over purely civil matters, as part of measures to strengthen adherence to the rule of law and improve the service’s human rights record.
Ajayi disclosed this in a media interview on Thursday, explaining that the directive formed part of reforms introduced since he assumed office to reposition the agency and enhance professionalism in its operations.
According to him, the reforms are centred on five key areas: law enforcement, inter-agency collaboration, accountability, respect for human rights, and infrastructural and administrative development.
The DSS Director-General said the reforms had also established a clearer distinction between civil disputes and criminal offences, noting that the agency had in the past sometimes blurred the line between the two.
He stressed that coercive measures, including arrest, should not be employed in the resolution of civil disputes.
“You cannot apply the use of force in civil matters. Even some criminal matters don’t require force,” Ajayi said.
Utomi case
Ajayi cited the case involving political economist and academic, Prof. Pat Utomi, who faced allegations linked to an attempt to establish what was described as a “shadow government”.
He said rather than arrest Utomi, the DSS sought judicial interpretation of the matter.
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“Rather than arrest him, we sought judicial interpretation. And the Court ruled that his adventure was unconstitutional, illegal, and a threat to national security,” he said.
The DSS chief also referred to a legal dispute involving the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), which had approached the court over allegations that two DSS operatives invaded its premises.
According to Ajayi, the agency allowed the matter to proceed through the courts rather than resorting to arrest, adding that the court eventually awarded more than N100 million in favour of SERAP.
Asked whether the DSS now relies on judicial processes in handling civil matters, Ajayi answered in the affirmative and reiterated his directive to operatives.
“I have told my people that there should be no arrest in any civil case,” he said.
DSS, media share professional responsibility
Ajayi said the agency had also adopted a more cautious approach in cases involving journalists, noting that the DSS would rather approach the courts where necessary.
He described journalists as the agency’s “professional colleagues”, saying both institutions perform information-related functions, although their audiences and responsibilities differ.
“I call you guys our professional colleagues. The only difference is that, while you inform the public, we inform the government. And because we inform the government, our information is classified until we declassify it,” he said.
The DSS Director-General said the reforms were intended to reinforce accountability, professionalism and respect for the rule of law while enabling the agency to effectively discharge its mandate of protecting national security.
By PRNigeria
