DSS Tells Court Kaduna Man’s Tweet About Israeli PM Netanyahu Could Drag Nigeria Into Israel-Iran-Type Conflict
In the counter-affidavit opposing the defendant’s bail application, a DSS operative, Jones Gabriel, told the court that he was directly involved in the investigation that led to the arrest.
Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS), has told a court that a tweet posted by a Nigerian citizen could potentially trigger an international conflict involving Nigeria, drawing comparisons to the ongoing hostility between Israel and Iran.
The claim was made in a counter-affidavit filed by the DSS before the Federal High Court of Nigeria sitting in Kaduna in the case between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Abubakar Adamu, a social media user whose X account is identified as @AbbakarAffan.
SaharaReporters learnt that Adamu was tracked, arrested and subsequently arraigned after authorities accused him of making posts on social media considered threatening in relation to the Middle East conflict.
In the counter-affidavit opposing the defendant’s bail application, a DSS operative, Jones Gabriel, told the court that he was directly involved in the investigation that led to the arrest.
"That, I am a personnel of the State Security Service (aka DSS) attached to the Kaduna State Command and the office detailed to handle investigations by virtue of which I am conversant with the facts of this matter,” Gabriel stated.
He also said the agency opposed bail because the suspect had allegedly admitted the charges after investigators confronted him with evidence obtained from his social media activity.
“The Complainant/Respondent denies paragraph 5 of the Defendant/Applicant’s affidavit and states categorically that he admitted the charges against him after he was confronted with overwhelming evidence,” the affidavit read.
The DSS further told the court that the charges against the defendant were serious and could attract severe punishment.
“The defendant/applicant is facing serious charges for offences which are not ordinarily bailable including offence that carries life imprisonment upon conviction,” the agency stated.
According to the DSS, one of the central allegations against the defendant relates to comments he posted on X concerning the leadership of Israel.
The agency claimed that Adamu used his account to make an inciting post calling for the elimination of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“One of the offences established against the Defendant/Applicant was arrested for involves posting of inciting comment on his X handle calling for the elimination of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,” the DSS stated.
The agency went further to claim that the post had the potential to escalate beyond social media and create international diplomatic consequences.
“Such post could lead to international conflict involving Nigeria, similar to the on-going hostility between Israel and Iran with its attendant destruction,” the affidavit said.
The DSS argued that allowing the defendant to regain freedom while the case was ongoing would pose a threat to national security.
In the affidavit, the secret police also made a series of allegations regarding the defendant’s past activities and associations.
The agency told the court that Adamu had previously threatened individuals who disagreed with him on religious or ideological issues.
“Based on the findings of their investigation, the Defendant/Applicant is not a person of good character as he has record of threatening to kill people who expresses a dissenting religious or ideological view from his, and derives pleasure in the death of others,” the affidavit stated.
The DSS further claimed that the defendant maintained links with foreign actors.
“The antecedents of the Defendant/Applicant shows that he has links with foreign intelligence Service who are using him to recruits Nigerians to fight in foreign military services in Countries like Ukraine and Russia,” the security agency said.
According to the agency, the suspect had also travelled outside Nigeria in connection with those alleged activities.
“The Defendant/Applicant having gone to Benghazi in Libya, and Egypt in pursuit of his activities, might likely abscond to those countries if granted bail,” it said.
The DSS insisted before the court that the defendant should remain in custody because he might evade trial.
“The Defendant/Applicant is not likely to make himself present for his trial if granted bail,” the affidavit stated.
The agency also attempted to reassure the court about its conduct in the investigation.
“The Complainant/Respondent is a responsible Federal Government organization that carries out its official duties in accordance with the rule of law and directives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the leadership of the President and Commander in chief of the Armed Forces,” it said.
Comments
Post a Comment