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DSS Under Ajayi: Institutional Restraint That Should Earn Applause, By Sufuyan Ojeifo

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DSS Under Ajayi: Institutional Restraint That Should Earn Applause, By Sufuyan Ojeifo

By: Zagazola Makama

The decision by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, to approach the Federal High Court over the possibility of suspending the prosecution of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, until after the 2027 presidential election is one that deserves careful consideration—and, indeed, applause.

At a time when actions involving opposition figures are easily viewed through partisan lenses, Ajayi has demonstrated something often missing in public administration: institutional restraint. More importantly, he has placed a politically sensitive question before the court rather than attempting to resolve it through administrative discretion alone.

The request to pause the proceedings should not be mistaken for weakness, political favouritism or an attempt to place anyone above the law. On the contrary, it reflects an understanding that the rule of law also requires fairness, proportionality and respect for the democratic process.

The DSS is not asking the court to terminate the case. Nor is it asking the court to determine Sowore’s innocence or guilt. It is asking the court to consider whether continuing the prosecution during an election period could unnecessarily complicate the democratic process. That distinction is fundamental.

Sowore, like every other Nigerian, remains subject to the law. A presidential candidacy does not confer immunity from criminal prosecution, just as an allegation does not amount to a conviction. If the court approves a postponement, the allegations do not disappear. The prosecution can resume after the election, allowing the legal process to proceed without creating avoidable controversy around a presidential candidate at a particularly sensitive political moment.

This distinction matters because the credibility of the proposal rests on the fact that it neither extinguishes the case nor predetermines its outcome. It merely asks the judiciary to consider whether timing, in the peculiar circumstances of an electoral contest, warrants a temporary adjustment to the proceedings.

This is precisely where Ajayi’s approach deserves commendation.

Security agencies wield enormous powers, and the manner in which those powers are exercised matters greatly. An institution that knows when to act firmly and when to exercise restraint demonstrates confidence in its own professionalism. The exercise of power is ultimately judged not only by what an institution can do, but by whether it knows the limits of what it should do.

The Foundation for Democracy in Africa (FDA), in commending the DSS leadership, described the decision as consistent with democratic principles, due process, the rule of law and the integrity of elections. That assessment deserves attention.

Nigeria’s democracy does not only depend on elections taking place; it also depends on citizens believing that institutions are not being used to influence electoral outcomes. That confidence can be fragile, particularly when a candidate challenging the political establishment is simultaneously facing prosecution by a security agency. Even where the prosecution is entirely lawful, its timing can become a subject of political contestation.

By placing the matter before the Federal High Court, Ajayi has allowed the judiciary to determine the appropriate course of action. That is a significant point. Rather than unilaterally making a politically sensitive decision, the DSS is seeking judicial guidance. The court remains free to accept, reject or modify the request on the basis of the law and the facts before it. That is how institutional restraint should work in a constitutional democracy. Such an approach reinforces institutional accountability.

Ajayi’s record, as highlighted by the FDA, also provides useful context. Since assuming office in August 2024, he has been credited with efforts to strengthen due process within the service, including the release of persons allegedly detained in error and compensation for affected individuals.

At the same time, the DSS under his leadership has continued to perform its core national-security responsibilities, including operations against terrorism and insurgency and the arrest and prosecution of high-profile suspects.

These two dimensions should not be presented as mutually exclusive. A security service does not become less effective because it respects due process. If anything, a professional security institution should be capable of combining operational effectiveness with a disciplined regard for the law.

This combination of firmness on security and restraint where democratic sensitivities are involved is precisely what Nigerians should expect from a modern security institution.

There is sometimes a mistaken assumption that a strong security agency must always be seen taking the toughest possible position. But strength is not measured solely by arrests, prosecutions or enforcement actions. Sometimes, the greater demonstration of institutional strength is knowing when restraint serves the national interest better. That appears to be the thinking behind the Ajayi initiative.

There is, however, an important caveat. Institutional restraint should not become selective restraint. The credibility of this approach will ultimately depend on whether the same principle can be applied impartially, regardless of the identity, popularity or political affiliation of the person involved.

The 2027 elections will be an important test of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. Political parties will compete vigorously, candidates will make competing claims and public institutions will inevitably come under scrutiny.

In such an environment, every effort to reduce unnecessary institutional tension should be welcomed, provided it remains firmly anchored in law. The judiciary, rather than the DSS or any political actor, must have the final say on whether the proposed postponement is legally and procedurally justified.

The proposed pause in Sowore’s prosecution can therefore be viewed as an attempt to protect the credibility of the electoral process without compromising the justice system.

It is also important to stress that the decision does not create a special legal status for Sowore. It establishes no permanent immunity and does not erase the case. It simply creates the possibility of allowing the election to take place without an ongoing prosecution becoming an additional source of political controversy. That is a reasonable position question for the DSS to place before the court. Whether it is the right remedy is properly a matter for the court to decide.

Indeed, the principle should be bigger than any individual or political party. If Nigeria is serious about building institutions that command public confidence, security agencies must be prepared to demonstrate impartiality, professionalism and respect for judicial authority regardless of the political identity of the person involved. Ajayi’s approach offers an example of how this can be done.

It is worth stressing this because the real value of the episode should not be reduced to whether one candidate benefits from a postponement. The more consequential question is whether Nigeria’s institutions are learning to manage politically sensitive cases in ways that protect both the integrity of the law and public confidence in the democratic process.

The DSS must remain tough against terrorism, violent extremism, threats to national security and other criminal activities. But that firmness must coexist with respect for constitutional rights and democratic institutions. That balance is not a contradiction. It is the hallmark of responsible security leadership.

For that reason, the FDA’s commendation of Ajayi is understandable. His decision to seek judicial consideration rather than simply allowing a politically sensitive prosecution to become another flashpoint demonstrates an appreciation of the bigger picture.

It also sends an important institutional message: that the DSS recognises that its authority is exercised within a constitutional order, not above it.

In the end, democracy is strengthened not only by the enforcement of laws but also by the responsible exercise of institutional power.

The DSS under Ajayi appears to be demonstrating that restraint can be a sign of strength, not weakness. And for that If that restraint is consistently applied, transparently justified and firmly anchored in law, the DSS leadership deserves applause.

● Sufuyan Ojeifo, MNGE, MGOCOP, MNIPR, is a journalist and public affairs analyst.

DSS Under Ajayi: Institutional Restraint That Should Earn Applause, By Sufuyan Ojeifo

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EFCC PETITIONED OVER N2.5M GTBANK FRAUD, UNAUTHORISED N138,000 LOAN

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3 minutes ago

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November 13, 2026

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EFCC PETITIONED OVER N2.5M GTBANK FRAUD, UNAUTHORISED N138,000 LOAN

By: Michael Mike

A customer of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), Mrs Stella Adepegba, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged fraudulent withdrawals of N2.587 million from two bank accounts belonging to her family, as well as an unauthorised N138,000 loan allegedly taken in her name.

The petitioner, Mr Adelani Adepegba, who filed the complaint on behalf of his wife and daughter, called on the anti-graft agency to investigate suspected insider collusion, alleged compromise of the bank’s security infrastructure and possible breaches of customers’ confidential banking information.

In the petition addressed to the EFCC Chairman at the commission’s headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, Adepegba alleged that the two accounts, both domiciled with GTBank, were compromised within 24 days through similar transaction channels.

According to him, his daughter’s Child Saver’s Account was allegedly accessed by fraudsters on October 8, 2026, at about 8 p.m., resulting in the unauthorised transfer of funds totalling N2.5 million through the bank’s Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System instant payment (NIP) channel.

He said three transfers of N399,000, N398,000 and N220,000 were made to a Moniepoint account belonging to one Abdulmalik Idris, while another N1.49 million was transferred to a Gomoney account operated by one Zainab Ibrahim.

The petitioner alleged that his wife, who operates the child’s account, received no transaction alerts and only became aware of the withdrawals after a GTBank staff member, identified as Boluwatife Akinwunmi, alerted her and offered to block the account.

By the time the intervention was initiated, however, the account had allegedly been emptied, leaving a balance of less than N2,000.

Adepegba said the incident was reported at a GTBank branch in Kubwa, Abuja, on October 9, where his wife was asked to document the complaint.

He, however, alleged that the bank subsequently responded by email, attributing the transactions to the use of his wife’s login credentials.

The petitioner said the incident was followed by another suspected breach on November 1, when N80,000 was allegedly transferred from his wife’s personal account to a FairMoney account belonging to one Jamilu Ahmad.

He put the combined withdrawals from the two accounts at N2.587 million.

Raising concerns over the circumstances surrounding the transactions, Adepegba insisted that his wife had physical possession of her mobile phone, SIM card and ATM card at their residence in Kubwa, Abuja, when the alleged fraud occurred.

He further maintained that she neither received any One-Time Password (OTP) prompt nor disclosed her PIN, password or USSD credentials to anyone. He also denied that she clicked on phishing links or authorised a SIM swap.

According to him, the circumstances raised serious questions about the bank’s security controls and the possibility of unauthorised access to customers’ banking information.

The complaint also alleged that the financial losses may have been compounded by further unauthorised deductions from his wife’s account.

Adepegba said N24,000 was deducted by the bank two days before the petition, and that when his wife visited the bank for clarification, she was informed that the money represented repayment for a N138,000 loan allegedly obtained by the fraudsters through her account.

He added that a further N19,000 allegedly stolen from the account had also been discovered, bringing additional concerns about the extent of the suspected compromise.

The petitioner faulted GTBank’s handling of the incidents, questioning how two accounts linked through family relationships, BVN details and telephone contacts could have been targeted within 24 days without effective security intervention.

He identified the repeated targeting of related accounts, alleged circumvention of two-factor authentication, transfers to the same beneficiary channels and the reported breach of the account despite a PIN reset after the first incident as grounds for suspecting possible insider involvement.

He urged the EFCC to investigate the incidents, trace and recover the allegedly stolen funds and conduct a forensic examination of GTBank’s staff and systems to establish whether customer information was leaked or security protocols were compromised.

Specifically, he asked the commission to compel GTBank to provide complete transaction logs, internet protocol (IP) addresses, device identification records and NIP transaction trace records relating to the disputed transfers.

He also called on the EFCC to direct Moniepoint, Gomoney and FairMoney Microfinance Bank to provide the full Know Your Customer (KYC) details of the beneficiaries and place the identified accounts under appropriate restrictions pending the outcome of investigations.

The petitioner maintained that the investigation should establish how the transactions were initiated, the devices and channels used, the identities of those behind them and whether any bank employee or external actor facilitated the alleged fraud.

As of the time of filing this report, the petitioner’s allegations had not been independently established, and there was no response from GTBank or the other financial institutions named in the complaint.

EFCC PETITIONED OVER N2.5M GTBANK FRAUD, UNAUTHORISED N138,000 LOAN

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Why Borno Will Vote For APC At All Levels Of The Pending General Election……Ayuba

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6 minutes ago

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November 13, 2026

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Why Borno Will Vote For APC At All Levels Of The Pending General Election……Ayuba

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State, Bello Ayuba, has said that Borno will surely vote for his party at all levels because of the massive investment by the central government in the state.

Ayuba who addressed newsmen in Maiduguri during the week stated that the Federal Government has implemented several major projects in the state, particularly in the areas of road reconstruction, anti flood infrastructure and rehabilitation of critical facilities to assist the state return to normalcy.

Ayuba, while highlighting the Federal Government’s interventions in Borno, listed the Gombe-Biu dual carriageway, Bama-Banki road and Maiduguri-Ngala-Gamboru road among major federal projects either awarded or currently under construction.

He stated that the contractor handling the Gombe-Biu dual carriageway had already mobilised to site, describing the project as a major intervention that would improve connectivity between Borno, Gombe and other neighbouring states.

The APC boss further said that the Federal Government had also awarded the Bama-Banki as well as the Maiduguri-Ngala-Gamboru federal roads respectively for complete reconstruction due to their insurgency battered, abandoned an dilapidated states.

He stressed that these glaring road projects were evidences that the Tinubu/Shettima administration was paying attention to Borno’s dire infrastructure needs.

Chairman Ayuba also cited the rehabilitation of the Alau Dam following the devastating flooding in the state, pointing out that the Federal Government has committed a substantial amount of money towards repairing the facility.

On the Maiduguri-Ngala-Gamboru road which leads into the Central African Republic, Ayuba said the difficult terrain and nature of the soil has made the project technically challenging and costly.

He explained that the Federal Government had taken the nature of the terrain into consideration in the design and reconstruction of the road to ensure greater durability beyond the post insurgency years.

“When you look at the terrain and the loamy soil and even how it shrinks during the dry season, If the work is poorly done, eventually the road will not last long.

” But I can tell you that this project was expected to be constructed to a very high standard, with concrete pavements and walkways designed to significantly extend its lifespan.

“When the project is completed, it is our intention to have a very solid concrete road, with a lifespan of up to 100 years,” said the APC boss.

Surrounded by party stalwarts in his office the APC chairman expressed optimism that if Borno votes for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket, at the fullnest of time, more federal projects would be attracted to Borno State,

He maintained that the ongoing road interventions would contribute massively to the state’s economic development and improve transportation links with other parts of the country.

Why Borno Will Vote For APC At All Levels Of The Pending General Election……Ayuba

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UNFPA, Signify partner to illuminate 10,000 healthcare facilities in seven states

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19 hours ago

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November 12, 2026

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UNFPA, Signify partner to illuminate 10,000 healthcare facilities in seven states

…₦-free solar intervention targets underserved communities, strengthens maternal healthcare, emergency response, safety of women and girls

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Signify Foundation have entered into a three-year partnership to deploy 10,000 solar lighting solutions to healthcare facilities in seven states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in a move to address poor lighting and improve access to essential health services in underserved communities.

The initiative, which targets hard-to-reach communities, is designed to tackle one of the often-overlooked challenges confronting healthcare delivery in Nigeria: inadequate and unreliable electricity, particularly in facilities providing maternal and reproductive healthcare services.

Under the partnership, 4,170 Philips Essential SmartBright solar streetlights and 5,830 solar floodlights will be installed across selected healthcare facilities in Borno, Yobe, Lagos, Ogun, Sokoto, Akwa Ibom and the FCT.

The first consignment of 3,334 units, comprising 1,390 solar streetlights and 1,944 solar floodlights, is expected to arrive in Nigeria before the end of 2026.

The intervention is expected to improve the safety, accessibility and operational capacity of health facilities, particularly those serving women, girls, adolescents and other vulnerable populations.

Facilities to benefit include safe spaces, youth-friendly centres, obstetric fistula centres and MAMII health facilities, where reliable lighting is critical to ensuring that patients can access services in secure and dignified environments.

The partnership also comes against the backdrop of persistent electricity challenges in underserved communities, where inadequate lighting can constrain the delivery of healthcare, particularly at night, and expose patients and health workers to additional safety risks.

For maternal healthcare facilities, the availability of reliable lighting is particularly important for emergency deliveries, obstetric interventions and other situations requiring immediate medical attention outside normal working hours.

UNFPA Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms Muriel Mafico, said reliable electricity remained one of the strongest enablers of quality healthcare, describing the partnership as an important intervention towards improving health outcomes in both development and humanitarian settings.

She said the provision of solar lighting would strengthen healthcare delivery by improving local infrastructure and enabling communities to extend service hours.

“This partnership will strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system by improving local lighting infrastructure.

“Reliable lighting will enable communities to extend service hours, strengthen emergency and maternal health responses, and improve confidentiality and safety for survivors in designated safe spaces. It will also create opportunities for youth engagement,” Mafico said.

She added that illuminating critical community facilities would support safer environments, strengthen community resilience and contribute to better outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Beyond healthcare delivery, the initiative is expected to improve protection and dignity for women and girls, particularly survivors of gender-based violence who require access to confidential support services in safe spaces.

The lighting intervention will also benefit adolescents and young people accessing youth-friendly centres, where a secure and welcoming environment is essential to encouraging them to seek information and essential health services.

Director of the Signify Foundation, Yue Cui, said the partnership reflected the importance of providing healthcare facilities with the infrastructure required to deliver services safely and effectively.

She said quality healthcare depended not only on medical personnel, medicines and equipment but also on creating safe and adequately lit environments for patients and health workers.

“Solar lighting is a practical solution, it is easy to install and maintain, and can serve communities for years.

“At a time when humanitarian resources are stretched, we hope this partnership shows how our interventions can make essential healthcare services safer and more accessible,” Cui said.

The partnership builds on previous interventions by the organisations in Syria and Sudan, extending their collaboration on sustainable lighting solutions to underserved communities in Nigeria.

The three-year programme also highlights the growing role of renewable energy interventions in strengthening essential social infrastructure, particularly in communities where conventional electricity supply remains unreliable or inaccessible.

UNFPA, the United Nations’ sexual and reproductive health agency, works towards a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

The Signify Foundation, an independent non-profit organisation primarily funded by Signify, works to expand access to lighting among underserved communities across the world.

With the first consignment expected before the end of 2026, the partnership is expected to provide an additional layer of support to healthcare facilities, particularly those operating in difficult humanitarian and development environments.

UNFPA, Signify partner to illuminate 10,000 healthcare facilities in seven states

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