JUDGES ARREST: You are lying, Wike tells DSS

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, has accused the Department of State Services, DSS, of engaging in deliberate misinformation and concocting stories to justify its attack on the judiciary.

Describing the action by the DSS as unconstitutional, Wike insisted that the DSS has no powers to be involved in the process of disciplining a serving judicial official.

It would be recalled that the DSS had told reporters on Saturday that its operatives moved against some judges after a sting operation, alleging that the judges were engaging in corrupt practices and professional misconduct.

The DSS also alleged that various sums of money in foreign and local currencies were recovered from the residences of the arrested judges.

Read also: SERAP to Buhari, release all arrested judges unconditionally

About seven judges are believed to have been arrested in an operation that lasted from 9pm till the early hours of Saturday.

It would also be recalled that Governor Wike had an altercation with the DSS operatives, preventing them from arresting a Federal High Court judge serving in the Port Harcourt division.

Wike stated this while speaking during a special dinner for the management and players of Rivers United at the Government House, Port Harcourt, adding that the weak blackmail of the DSS would not reduce the crime it had committed against the Nigerian state by assaulting the judiciary.

He said: “Their blackmail stories will not move me. They will concoct all kinds of stories to justify this undemocratic illegality perpetrated against the judiciary.

“It is really unfortunate that DSS would concoct a false defence that $USD2 million, (N900m) was found in the house of the judge. It is unfortunate that the DSS is coming up with flimsy excuses.”

By Timothy Enietan-Matthews

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