TheCable

The Department of State Services (DSS) has taken a swipe at Maxwell Okpara, counsel of Godwin Emefiele, suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

In a series of tweets on Tuesday, the secret police accused Okpara of mobilising “other like-minded lawyers” against Yusuf Bichi, director-general of DSS.

DSS described Okpara as a “Biafran Republic agitator” and that the lawyer needs to understand the law on Emefiele’s arrest.

“Biafran Republic agitator and Outlawed IPOB counsel defending the suspended CBN governor,” DSS wrote.

“Is IPOB defending one of theirs? What a contradiction. What’s the connection? Is someone telling us something? May Maxwell be properly educated on points of law, please.”

BACKGROUND

Okpara is one of the lawyers fighting to secure the release of the embattled CBN governor.

The lawyer had represented Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on a couple of occasions.

Recently, a group of lawyers led by Okpara and Ahmed Tijani, initiated a contempt charge against Bichi for failing to release Emefiele.

The lawyer said the DG of DSS should have ordered Emefiele’s release from custody in light of the prevailing judgements and orders issued in separate instances.

They cited orders by M. A. Hassan, Garki FCT high court judge; Hamza Muazu, Maitama FCT high court judge and Bello Kawu, APO FCT high court judge.

Emefiele has been in DSS custody since his arrest on June 10.

Many Nigerians have criticised the DSS for the tweet posted on its official handle.

See comments:

This one forgot to log into his/her burner account!!

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Just read this again!

From a governemnt agency we fund with our tax.

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uncouth. shameful. revealing

— (((Anefiok Dante Akpan))) (@Anefiok) July 18, 2023

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..what a shameful tweet from a supposedly government security organ.

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This tweet signifies a new low, for a known lawless organisation. #disgusting

— June12Posts (Nuclear ☢️ Powered) (@June12Post) July 18, 2023

The guy handling this page was assigned the wrong role. Very poor delivery. How is this even DSS' official account. I had to check again to confirm it is not a parody account. Guy you worse…

— Holuforworshe (@s_olufowose) July 18, 2023

What in the world is this???

DSS?

Nigerians deserve better. What a shame! https://t.co/EUL2QE6zyG

— MEA (@ServingNigeria) July 18, 2023

🤣🤣🤣 this one don pass Yes Daddy https://t.co/sMTJ67FVcr

— Chiagoziem Njoku (@Njoku__1) July 18, 2023

I can't believe the depths to which Nigeria's secret security services have sunk! Their actions are a disgrace and a danger to the entire nation.

— SirOdue (@Sirodue1) July 18, 2023

I had to double check.
Has the DSS Twitter handle been hacked?

— Yad 🥷 (@aeon07) July 18, 2023

This is so unprofessional, coming from a secret police.

— Abiodun Sanusi (@AbiodunSanusi01) July 18, 2023