DSS now arresting Federal Judges across the Nation

A contingent of officers from the Department of State Security (DSS) surrounded the home of two Nigerian federal judges, Nnamdi Dimgba and Adebiyi Ademola.The federal judges currently reside at 32 and 34 Samuel Ogbemudia Cresent in theApo Legislative Quarters of Abuja.The invading officers arrived and surrounded Justice Dimgba’s home around 9pm,Nigerian time (7th October, 2016), according to sources speaking to Sahara Reporters.Shortly after the siege, neighbours of the judge told Sahara Reporters that the DSSagents began breaking into his compound with a sledge hammer.Mr. Dimgba was reportedly not at home at the time of the invasion. However, a sourcesaid DSS had been uncomfortable with recent rulings by the judge and because of hisvocal criticism of DSS for violating rights of persons detained at its facility.Another source revealed that they believed Mr. Dimgba was being targeted unfairly byDSS as a form of punishment. On July 22nd, 2016 he berated DSS for not presentingAir Commodore Umar Mohammed to his court for a scheduled hearing.Earlier today, DSS agents arrested Justice Muazu Pindiga, former Chairman of theRivers State Governorship petition tribunal, for allegations of bribery and corruption.In a related development; Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike alleges plot todeclare state of emergency in Rivers State.The illegal siege on Rivers State by Federal security agencies continued unabatedduring the early hours of Saturday as hundreds of Department of State Services (DSS)operatives and policemen attempted to illegally abduct a Federal High Court judgeresiding at Number 35 Forces Avenue in Port Harcourt.The illegal failed abduction was led by Mr Tosin Ajayi, Rivers State Director of theDepartment of State Services (DSS) and Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr FrancisOdesanya.The operatives of DSS reportedly rough-handled Governor Wike, pushing him aroundand injuring his hand. A few of the operatives cocked their rifles and threatened toshoot the Governor.They were irked by Governor Wike’s arrival at the scene shortly after the failedabduction process began. It was learnt that Governor Wike received securityinformation on the illegal moves, minutes after the operation started.The security operatives blocked the entrance of the residence of the Federal HighCourt judge at about 1am on saturday morning, claiming that they were acting onorders from above. As they dragged Governor Nyesom Wike, they insisted that theymust be allowed to leave with the judge.However, the commotion attracted passers by and journalists who thronged thevicinity to know why hundreds of security agents in several Patrol vans had beenmobilised.Upon the arrival of the national media, the Rivers State Director of the DSS, Mr TosinAjayi jumped into his vehicle and fled the scene.However, addressing journalists, Rivers State Police Commissioner, Francis Odesanyasaid the two security agencies were at the scene because they received privilegedinformation.Odesanya claimed he was at the scene as a peace maker. He declined comments onwhy the Police joined the DSS to abduct a serving Federal High Court judge.In an interview with journalists at the scene of the failed illegal abduction of a FederalHigh Court judge by the Police and DSS, Governor Wike said it will not be under hiswatch that security agencies wiĺl be allowed to entrench needless impunity.He declared that their reckless action portends danger to the nation’s democracy,noting that he is convinced that President Buhari is not aware of the level of impunitybeing perpetrated by Federal Securiy agencies.Governor Wike stated that whatever the situation, the rule of law must prevail in ademocratic setting.He said if the security agencies had a lawful directive to implement, they must followdue process .According to him: “Not under my watch wiĺl I allow this kind of impunity to takeplace. That is why we are here. I don’t know which judge they were detailed to abduct.I didn’t bother myself to know which judge. All I am interested in is that, at this level, itis not allowed.“He is not a criminal and he is not an armed robber. If the person has committed anoffence, invite him. It is only when he refuses to honour the invitation that you canadopt this commando style.“The Commissioner of Police is here, the Director of DSS is here. Their operativescocked their guns and threatened to shoot me. I have never seen that before. Again ,this is to tell you what we are facing . We know that more will come. For us in thisstate, we shall continue to resist it.”Governor Wike added: “It doesn’t matter what it will cost. When you talk about liberty,sacrifices must be made. We are not trying to stop an arrest. All we are saying is thatthings must be done decently and in line with the rule of law.“Rivers State is under siege. For you to see a governor out at this time of the day,something is wrong. A siege is an understatement. If this type of thing happens nexttime, the people wiĺl resist it to the last”.The governor stressed: “They are trying to do something funny in this state, probablyto declare a state of emergency.