Over 24 hours after the Department of State Services (DSS) demonstrated lawlessness at the Federal High Court in Lagos, Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has been silent on the matter.

Development Diaries reports that the DSS refused to let go of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, despite a court order granting the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) custody of him.

Emefiele was arraigned on two counts of illegal firearms possession before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, and when the charges were read to him, he pleaded not guilty.

Before he was whisked away, there was a face-off between personnel of the DSS and warders of the NCS as they battled for control, leading to a prison commander being ruffled and his uniform torn.

The fact that security operatives are engaging in a scuffle in the open is a show of shame and an embarrassment to the country.

The DSS, under many circumstances, has engaged in actions that are seen to put the country’s democracy on trial.

The DSS, in May 2023, laid siege to the premises of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos.

In a swift response, Tinubu ordered the operatives to vacate the office of the EFCC immediately. But it is surprising that the president has not taken action against the secret police for disobeying a court order.

During his inaugural speech, the president promised Nigerians that his administration will govern according to the country’s constitution and uphold the rule of law. However, the DSS, by its actions, appears to be above the law.

Development Diaries calls on the president to order the DSS to immediately obey the order of the Federal High Court to demonstrate his commitment to the rule of law.