The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticized the conduct of the Department of State Services (DSS) during the arrest and detention of activist and politician Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja, describing the agency’s actions as unnecessary and inconsistent with democratic principles.
In a statement issued by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the labour union expressed concern over what it described as a “rowdy scene,” alleging that DSS operatives engaged in intimidation and actions that publicly humiliated Sowore while taking him into custody.
According to the NLC, the manner in which the operation was carried out was excessive and unbecoming of a security institution expected to operate with professionalism and restraint.
The union questioned the DSS’s role in the matter, arguing that the agency appeared to have assumed multiple roles in the case, including that of accuser and detaining authority. It maintained that matters of prosecution should ordinarily be handled by the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The statement further expressed concern that the DSS was straying from its constitutional mandate, which includes safeguarding national security and protecting the interests of the state.
Ajaero argued that security institutions should remain impartial and avoid actions that could create the perception of protecting individuals or governments at the expense of constitutional principles and the rights of citizens.
The NLC emphasized the importance of upholding the presumption of innocence, noting that every accused person is entitled to fair treatment until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The labour leader also warned against the dangers of weakening democratic institutions through excessive loyalty to political officeholders, stressing that strong institutions, rather than powerful individuals, are essential for the survival of democracy.
Drawing a historical parallel, Ajaero referenced the resignation of former United States President Richard Nixon following the Watergate scandal, describing it as an example of institutions functioning independently in the public interest.
He urged security agencies and public institutions to act within the bounds of the law and respect the rights of all citizens, warning that actions perceived as politically motivated could undermine public confidence in democratic governance.
The statement comes amid ongoing legal proceedings involving Sowore, who is facing charges related to alleged cybercrime offences before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The DSS has yet to publicly respond to the NLC’s comments.
