CITIZENS COMPASS– The Department of State Services (DSS) has threatened a lawsuit against Africa Independent Television (AIT) of Da’ar Communications Plc and Channels Television over their reportage of the involvement of the Services in Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday.
DSS demanded an apology and retraction of reports purporting that their operatives invaded the Assembly.
It explained that it was in the Assembly to beef up security and not invasion.
In a letter dated February 17, 2025, titled “False, Defamatory and Malicious Publication Concerning the State Security Service (aka DSS) Regarding Their Presence at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday February 17, 2025,” the Service through its legal team, Adedipe and Adedipe demanded a retraction of the story and apology.
According to the Counsel, even when it was clear that, following fears that hoodlums could attack the lawmakers, it was the Clerk of the Assembly who invited DSS and police personnel to help secure the Assembly, the media houses nonetheless went ahead to report that their operatives invaded the Assembly Gestapo style.
The Service gave the media organizations seven days to run apologies in their respective news channels five times a day for three days running, or face legal action.
According to the Service, these media outfits alleged that the Secret Service stormed Lagos Assembly to disrupt the business of the House, contrary to facts that the DSS was invited to carry out its statutory duties.
