The State Security Service (SSS), on Tuesday, came under heavy public criticism for using its official Twitter page to insult Maxwell Okpara, a lawyer, for defending embattled former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The secret police tweeted on Tuesday: . “Charge and bail, overzealous uninformed IPOB/ESN lawyer Maxwell Okpara mobilises other like-minded lawyers against DGSS. Futile Efforts. Well, Nigerians, beware! This is in bad faith. Transferred aggression,”
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“A Biafran Republic agitator and Outlawed IPOB counsel defending the suspended CBN Governor. Is IPOB defending one of theirs???? What a contradiction…..hmmm…what’s the connection? Is someone telling us something? May Maxwell be properly educated on points of law, please.”
The SSS tweet elicited reactions from Nigerians, who described it as “irresponsible and disgraceful”.
A Twitter user, @jacksonpbn, said When I said the DSS is now a rogue agency, this is one of the reasons. How can an intelligence agency, an @FBI equivalent, write this kind of trash on her official Twitter handle? This is purely disgraceful!”
“Appalling to say the least…The official Twitter account of the Nigerian Secret Service is tweeting such offensive and irresponsible tweets! Very sad and most unfortunate!,” @codshalom77 said.
Another Twitter user, @Nero365 said “this is disgraceful coming from the MOST respected and prestigious intelligence agency in Nigeria. Just when you think this APC led government cannot go any lower, they plunge into new depths.”
@June12Post said, “what a shameful tweet from a supposedly government security organ. This tweet signifies a new low, for a known lawless organisation.”
Founded in 1986 by the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida, the SSS, Nigeria’s secret police directly controlled by the presidency, is notorious for attacks on the press, political interference and gross human rights abuses.
Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29, the SSS has arrested and detained former CBN Governor, Mr Emefiele and former EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.
Without evidence, the SSS had alleged that pro-Emefiele groups were plotting with some of its staff to destabilise the country weeks ago.
While the secret police charged Mr Emefiele to court after detaining him for weeks illegally, Mr Bawa has remained in the SSS custody with nothing said about him.
Under former President Muhammadu Buhari, the SSS detained former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, leader of Shiites Islamic group, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in spite of different court orders granting them bail.