DG SSS Daura sacked, arrested

Lands in SARS net, Seiyefa takes over
Presidency probes Abba Kyari ‘connection’
My hands are clean – IGP
Count us out – APC
Saraki, Dogara, Atiku, Tambuwal laud Osinbajo

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday sacked Director-General, State Security Service, Malam Lawal Musa Daura from office, with Matthew Seyiefa named in acting capacity.
Seiyefa, an indigene of Bayelsa State, arrived the Presidential Villa in an official SUV at 4.p.m, clutching a file and was received at the entrance by the ADC to the Acting President.
The development followed the invasion of the National Assembly by some stern looking and gunwielding SSS operatives, who blocked lawmakers from gaining access into the NASS complex.
There was palpable tension at the premises of the National Assembly, particularly the Senate wing as the security operatives laid siege to the lobby.
It was alleged that the move was to pave way for forceful invasion of the chamber by some All Progressives Congress (APC) senators for possible impeachment of Senate President Bukola Saraki.
Although some lawmakers accused the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole –led National working Committee of being behind the act, the party however distanced itself from the development, saying it’s purely a legislative affair.
Sensing danger however, some PDP senators barricaded the entrance to the Chamber to prevent any illegal session.
This drew the angst of the lawmakers and other stakeholders, home and abroad, who condemned the siege as an affront on democracy and its institutions.
And shortly after the departure of the security operatives, Senate President Saraki walked into a warm reception by his colleagues who stood still while the siege lasted.
He exchanged banters with other lawmakers, but would not grant interviews to reporters.
And following this development, the joint leadership meeting earlier scheduled for today by Senate President Bukola Saraki, was been called off.
Daura sacked But the development did not go down with the acting president who is a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as he instantly fired the SSS boss.
Osinbajo, had, in an earlier statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, described the scenario as a gross violation of constitutional order, rule of law and all acceptable notions of law and order.
He said the unlawful act which was done without the knowledge of the Presidency, is condemnable and completely unacceptable.
“By this statement, Prof.
Osinbajo is consequently assuring Nigerians that all persons within the law enforcement apparatus who participated in this travesty, will be identified and subjected to appropriate disciplinary action,” the statement threatened.
And in living up to his threat, the Acting President, upon probing into the SSS role in the saga, terminated Daura’s appointment.
The sack came shortly after the Acting President met with Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Daura in the Villa.
While the IGP arrived at 12.35 p.m, Daura came in at 1.15 p.m.
Daura ‘snubs’ Osinbajo, NSA’ A Presidency source told Blueprint that the former SSS boss initially snubbed the Acting President and the National Security Adviser to the President, Babagana Mohammed Monguno, when summoned to explain his role.
“The Acting President summoned him (Daura) for a meeting in his house.
He made the Acting President and the NSA to wait for hours and he refused to show up.
They called him repeatedly but he refused to pick.
After waiting for him for more than three hours, the Acting President had to leave for his office,” the source said.
Arrest and detention Consequent upon his sack, Daura was there and then arrested and detained by the police.
A presidential source said the former SSS boss was whisked out of the Office of the Vice President by police operatives headed by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of operations, in an official Hilux vehicle and taken straight to the headquarters of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Guzape, Abuja.
Blueprint gathered that he is being held by the police over various allegations, including breaching national security, divulging information to the President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and collecting billions of naira from six (unnamed) governors.
This, however, could not be verified as at the time of writing this report, as the embattled security chief “is currently being detained at the SARS headquarters.” CoS Kyari ‘connection’ Furthermore, there are insinuations that the Chief of Staff to the Presidency, Malam Abba Kyari, might be in the know of the ‘order from the above’ to invade NASS, thus necessitating his invitation by Osinbajo yesterday’s evening to “possibly explain his role if any.” The meeting was still ongoing as at the time of filing this report.
Acting President Osinbajo, according to sources, had on Sunday met with top security chiefs, including Daura, during which he was said to have cautioned them against being involved in yesterday’s planned meeting of the National Assembly.
The contrary, however, played out yesterday as the SSS personnel completely took over the entire NASS Complex, in utter disregard of the warning from the Presidency.
On whether President Muhammadu Buhari was in the know, a Presidency source said, “yes, of course.
Knowing the President for his concern for rule of law and respect for separation of power, when the Acting President consulted with him, he reportedly said it is not about Mr.
President but Presidency, and therefore gave him the leverage to act appropriately.” We were not involved – Police Meanwhile, IGP Idris has absolved police personnel from yesterday’s invasion of the National Assembly.
Speaking to State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with Acting President Osinbajo which lasted one hour, Idris said he was yet to be briefed about the event.
He said the siege on the National Assembly was surprising, adding that the police would soon issue a statement in relation to the impasse.
“Obviously, like I said, I have not got a detailed brief on that.
In fact, we are going to issue a (press) release (on that),’’ he said.
NASS leadership meeting put off And following the ugly development, the meeting of NASS principal officials scheduled for yesterday, has been put off.
In a statement jointly signed by the two presiding officers of both Chambers, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogra, the leadership said, the heavy presence of armed security men who unnecessarily militarised the legislative complex and harassed legislators and the workers in the complex could not be justified in a democracy.
Describing the day as a sad day for democracy, they said, “by 6.30 am, the reports started coming in and by 7am, there were pictures and video online showing armed security men preventing Senators and Honourable members from coming into the Complex.
Some of our colleagues then mobilized other members in both chambers from their respective abode so that they could pressurize the security men from allowing them to gain entry.
“Obviously, the public outcry from Nigerians and members of the international community against this illegality, this desecration of the sanctity of the legislature and this flagrant abuse of powers, forced the government to relax the directives given to the security men as they later allowed the legislators to walk from the main gate into the foyer.
Still, the lawmakers were not allowed to drive in, in their vehicles and were denied access into the main building housing their offices.
“It is not clear what the plan of the government is, but information reaching us indicated that some Senators who are pro-executive arm are being camped somewhere here in Abuja and they are being compelled to sign an impeachment notice that would later be brought to the Assembly complex.
The Senate Chamber will now be forced open to enable an illegal change of leadership take place in the Senate.” “It should be noted that the Senate formally adjourned on July 24, 2018 and it stands adjourned.
To reconvene, there is a process which has to be followed.
Also, it should be clear that these Senators who are camped somewhere know the procedure for changing the leadership of the Senate.
Both the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency officials masterminding this illegality know that they do not have the numbers to lawfully carry out this action.
“Therefore, we call on members of the international community to view this development as a coup against democracy.
This is a throwback to the inglorious days of military rule where dissent is not tolerated and freedom of association and other fundamental human rights are wilfully and carelessly violated.
“We urge Nigerians and the international community to condemn this illegal invasion of the National Assembly complex and the attempt to asphyxiate the legislature as undemocratic, uncivilised and irresponsible.
“Let us use this opportunity to thank our colleagues in the Senate and House of Representatives who immediately mobilized to resist this coup against democracy.
Their action will be recorded as one taken at a time when the soul of this country is being imperilled.
They have acted to avert the breakdown of constitutionalism and collapse of the rule of law.
They have stood up to dictatorship and demonstrated that this country belongs to all of us.
“We also thank members of the press, local and international, and all Nigerians whose support for the cause of democracy have sustained us this far.
Following this unpleasant development, the joint leadership meeting slated for this afternoon has been postponed till further notice because under the prevailing circumstances, we cannot guarantee the safety of the 20 members from both chambers expected at the meeting”, Saraki and Dogara stated.
Tambuwal, Atiku laud Osinbajo Also, Soko state Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has condemned the occupation of the NASS complex by armed security operatives.
While calling for the immediate sack of the SSS DG, he described the action as a direct and unacceptable indication of contempt for the sanctity of the Legislature as bastion of democracy.
The governor said, as a former lawmaker and immediate past Speaker, House of Representatives, he was confounded that anyone could contemplate and carry out such an act, commending the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo for his intervention.
He also called on the international community to rise in condemnation of the action, which he described as a very dangerous threat to the survival of democracy in Africa’s most populous nation.
According to the governor who recently defected to PDP from the APC, “it is wrong and unconscionable for security operatives of any 21st Century nation to act in ways suggesting democracy and the will of the people could be held to ransom.” Similarly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar hailed the Acting President for listening to the clarion call of Nigerians and taking action to halt the illegal and antidemocratic siege on the National Assembly by the SSS operatives.
He noted that by sacking Daura, Osinbajo “has given meaning to the cries of Nigerians that we will not tolerate such anti-democratic actions.” Count us out – APC And distancing itself from the siege, the APC condemned in strongest terms the s invasion of the federal legislature.
The party in a statement by its spokesperson, Yekini Nabena, dissociated itself “from any act of brigandage and affront on the sacred symbols of our budding democracy.
“Our Party remains a law abiding political organisation and advises every constituent part to abide by the tenets of our constitution and our democracy.
“Whilst our contention with the leadership of the National Assembly as currently constituted is a matter of public record, we still believe that the legislature as an independent arm of government must be allowed free reign for vibrant contestation of ideas and values amongst its members within the context of their constitutional mandate and for the benefit of the Nigerian people “We call for a more harmonious working relationship between the various arms of government in the general interest of the country.”

Leave a Reply