DSS Has Been Gracious to Sowore, Says Ughegbe

*Proposed suspension of cyberbullying trial demonstrates goodwill, analyst says

Columnist and public affairs analyst, Dr Lemmy Ughegbe, has described the Department of State Services (DSS) as gracious in its dealings with activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.

He, however, noted that the agency’s restraint does not diminish its obligation to conclude the alleged cyberbullying trial involving the politician.

Ughegbe spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, where he examined allegations that security agencies were involved in the incident involving Sowore and his supporters at a restaurant in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State.

He argued that the DSS’s conduct towards Sowore should be considered alongside the allegations the politician has repeatedly levelled against the agency and other sister security agencies.

“It is public knowledge that, at some point, the DSS Director-General was reportedly considering suspending the trial to give Sowore time to concentrate on his presidential election ambition,” Ughegbe noted.

He added that “it is also public knowledge that Sowore flatly rejected the proposal and publicly declared that he did not want the trial suspended.”

Ughegbe contrasted that position with what he described as “Sowore’s later volte-face, requesting an adjournment from the same court to enable him to participate in political activities, the same idea the DSS had earlier proposed and which he ridiculed.”

“Curiously, some days ago, the same Sowore, in what appeared to be a departure from established legal procedures, bypassed his counsel and wrote directly to the same court, requesting more time to campaign and asking that his case be adjourned,” the analyst recalled.

According to Ughegbe, this sequence of events is important in assessing the relationship between Sowore and the DSS, particularly given the activist’s frequent criticism of the agency, which he has described as “lawless.”

“We must acknowledge the fact that the DSS, especially under its current leadership, is one of the most professional agencies you can talk about,” Ughegbe said, stressing that “the DSS has shown laudable restraint in its dealings with Sowore.”

He continued: “You and I know, and I think many Nigerians know, that the DSS has the capacity, if it chooses, to do anything untoward to Sowore. More than anything else, the DSS has been gracious.”

Ughegbe, however, cautioned that the agency’s perceived graciousness does not place it above scrutiny or mean that allegations against it should be ignored.

He argued that public institutions must be judged on the basis of evidence, with their actions assessed in context rather than through unsubstantiated allegations.

He also cautioned against the sweeping condemnation of security agencies, noting that institutional shortcomings do not invalidate every action they take.

Ughegbe maintained that accountability should apply to all parties, including public institutions and individuals such as Sowore who make allegations against them.

“Being an activist or politician does not place you above scrutiny. The fact that Sowore is a political actor in the upcoming presidential election is all the more reason why we should scrutinise his words and actions to ensure that those who aspire to lead us lead by example,” Ughegbe declared.