The Department of State Security Services (DSS) on Wednesday disregarded a substantive court injunction by invading the residence of a former Director General of the Service, Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (rtd).
A statement by Peter Ajayi, an Aide to the former DSS Boss, recalled that the Director-General of DSS, Lawal Musa Daura, upon assumption of office had written personally to Are, asking him to vacate the Ikoyi residence for reasons not stated.
“The residence in question, No 50 Alezander, Ikoyi, was officially given to Are when he was DSS Director, but was asked to vacate the premises despite an injunction by the court ordering the Federal Government to stay action.
“Refusing to vacate the premises as instructed, he was put under house arrest by the DSS.
“Journalists, who had gone to the scene to cover the eviction, were turned back.
“The personnel arrived early in the day, with an order that nobody should come close to the house.
“Are is a retired Nigerian Army Colonel, served as an officer in the Directorate of Military Intelligence up until retirement by General Sani Abacha.
‘Are, was appointed as DSS boss by President Olusegun Obasanjo. He served in that position throughout President Obasanjo’s two terms (1999-2007), and was replaced by Afakiriya Gadzama, who was appointed in August 2007 by President Umaru Yar’Adua,” Ajayi stated.
