The Department of State Services (DSS) has threatened to take legal action against two prominent broadcast stations, Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Channels Television, over what it described as false and malicious reports regarding its involvement in the recent crisis at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The controversy arose after reports suggested that DSS operatives, alongside the Nigeria Police, had stormed or invaded the Assembly complex on Monday, February 17, 2025. However, a letter later emerged, revealing that the Assembly had formally requested DSS to enhance security around the premises amid concerns that impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa was planning to reclaim his position.
In a statement on Tuesday, the DSS, through its lawyer, Chief Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), refuted claims of an invasion, insisting that its presence at the Assembly was in response to an official request from the Acting Clerk, dated February 14, 2025. The letter from the Clerk reportedly cited the need to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order.
The DSS accused AIT and Channels Television of failing to verify their reports before broadcasting claims that its operatives had forcefully taken over the Assembly to support one faction. The agency argued that such reporting painted it as an “irresponsible and reckless organization acting in a Gestapo manner.”
In separate letters to both media houses, the DSS demanded:
An immediate retraction of the alleged defamatory reports across all news platforms.
A public apology to be broadcast at least five times daily for three consecutive days on all their channels and social media platforms.
The security agency warned that failure to comply within seven days would result in legal action, including both civil and criminal proceedings, citing violations of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015, as amended in 2024.
The Lagos Assembly crisis has continued to draw national attention, with tensions rising over the leadership dispute involving former Speaker Obasa.
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