DSS DG introduces reforms, restricts arrests over civil matters

The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, has directed operatives of the agency not to arrest individuals over civil matters.

Ajayi gave the directive on Thursday during an interview with selected media executives, saying it was part of efforts to strengthen respect for the rule of law and improve the agency’s human rights record.

The DSS boss said he had introduced reforms in five major areas since assuming office.

They include law enforcement, cooperation with other security agencies, accountability, respect for human rights, and infrastructural and administrative reforms.

According to him, the measures are aimed at improving the agency’s operational efficiency.

According to him, the reforms had also created a clearer distinction between civil and criminal matters within the agency, noting that his career experience showed that the DSS had previously conflated the two.

He said the use of force is inappropriate in civil disputes.

“You cannot apply the use of force in civil matters. Even some criminal matters don’t require force,” Ajayi said.

He cited the case involving Pat Utomi, a political economist, over allegations relating to an attempt to establish a “shadow government”.

“Rather than arrest him, we sought judicial interpretation,” the DG DSS said.

“And the court ruled that his adventure was unconstitutional, illegal, and a threat to national security.”

He also referred to a case involving the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), saying the organisation approached the court over allegations that two DSS operatives invaded its premises.

He said the matter was pursued in court without any arrest, adding that the court eventually awarded more than N100 million in favour of SERAP.

Ajayi said the DSS now resorts to the courts in civil matters, adding that he had instructed operatives that there should be no arrest in any civil case.

He said the agency would also approach the courts in cases involving journalists because “we do the same job.”

Ajayi described journalists as “professional colleagues” of the DSS, noting that the difference is that journalists inform the public while the DSS informs the government.

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