NLC Condemns DSS Over ‘Humiliation’ of Sowore at Abuja Court

THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the alleged humiliation of activist Omoyele Sowore by the Department of State Services (DSS) during his arrest at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.

In a statement signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, and made available to newsmen in the capital, the labour union expressed outrage over the conduct of the security operatives.

“We are appalled by the conduct of the DSS at the Federal High Court, Abuja while taking into custody Mr Omoyele Sowore,” the statement read.

“The rowdy scene, bullish behaviour, the mass intimidation by the personnel and the humiliation of Sowore were totally unnecessary and embarrassing to an organisation that carries with it a certain level of sophistication or elegance.”

The NLC said it was opposed to the “drama” by the Secret Service, questioning the necessity of such a display.

“Beyond this, we are worried by the interest of the DSS in this matter and the way it has prosecuted it as the accuser and the jailer,” the union added.

The NLC noted that the Ministry of Justice, or precisely the Attorney General of the Federation, should be responsible for matters of this nature.

“It is saddening to note that the DSS has taken upon itself a role that portrays it as an ingratiating agency, a departure from the one vested on it by the constitution that empowers it to monitor all (including Mr President) and act in a manner (through pre-emption or otherwise) to preserve the state or its interest,” Ajaero said.

He warned that when the DSS goes into overdrive to protect an individual or government at the expense of the state or a party presumed innocent until found guilty by a competent court of jurisdiction, that would be at variance with their oath of office.

“The Nigerian State is superior to all individuals or governments and the DSS ought to know the difference,” the statement continued. “There could be no better illustration of this credo than when through the diligence of two journalists and American secret service, a sitting President, Richard Nixon, was compelled to resign from office over the Watergate scandal in 1976.”

The NLC president concluded with a warning about the broader implications for democracy.

“We need strong institutions and not strong individuals for our democracy to survive. Strong individuals constitute a threat to democracy anywhere. When we as institutions outbid one another to please Mr President, we are unwittingly jeopardising our democracy. Please be guided.”