From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Ibrahim Musa, has written to the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) alleging intimidation by its operatives.
This was contained in a letter dated 27 December ,2021 and sighted by our reporter in Kaduna yesterday.
The letter alleged that operatives of the Service stormed the office premises on 16 POW Mafemi Cresent, Off Solomon Lar Way, Jabi, demanding to see the Chief Security Officer of the building on a public holiday.
“Since there was no prior notice, invitation or pending request from your office regarding any of such visits and considering the proximity of working relationships we have enjoyed through our various institutional strengthening engagements, we cannot pretend otherwise as this development has raised enormous concerns.
“This undemocratic action poses a major question about our growing list of deliberate attempts to undermine the constitutional order,” the statement said.
He said considering recent activities of criminals using official security covers to perpetrate wanton criminalities in recent past the recent past should use his good office to investigate those who carried out the visit and for what purposes.
“Since we cannot jump into conclusion as to exact reasons behind this Gestapo approach, we believe this kind of unprofessional visits clearly violates existential rights guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and puts the country on a global map of ‘bad policing’ and shrinking voices of citizens demanding for good governance in the interest of all.
“As an organisation, we believe in the rule of law. We have complied with all statutes and thereby have not violated any law.
“We urge the DG to use his good office to put an end to this trend of shrinking civic space and the ongoing attempt to weaken democratic institutions to which the civil society community represents an aspect.
“We still believe in the Nigeria project. Partnership, not confrontation of any kind, can help both the state and non-state actors build a robust democratic culture.
“Our prayer is to call these operatives to order and charge them to be civil in their approach. We look forward to your immediate intervention” the letter reads.
