Inaccurate Reportage: AIT, Channels TV Tender Apology To DSS

Following the demand for an apology and retraction by the Department of State Services (DSS) over a story of an alleged invasion of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the African Independent Television (AIT), and Channels Television have separately tendered apology to the Secret police for inaccurate repotage.

The DSS through its legal counsel, Chief Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, protested against the report by bothe AIT and Channels Television that portrayed the Service as an invader, raider, and disruptor of democratic and legislative due process.

The DSS took particular notice of the slant of the story which it faulted and went ahead to explain that it deployed its operatives in the Assembly complex based on the invitation of the management of the Assembly.

The Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr A. T. B. Ottun, had in the letter to the Director of DSS in Lagos State, requested for security cover to protect the breakdown of law and order.

The invitation by the Assembly management followed the treat by the sacked Speaker, Hon Mudashiru Obasa to resume office last week Tuesday, February 18, 2025 even as Hon Lasbat Mojisola Meranda has been sworn-in as Speaker.

The AIT in an official statement, said; “AIT News wishes to apologise to the Department of State Services, DSS, for the news item broadcast during our bulletin on Monday, 17th February 2025, regarding the presence of DSS officers at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

“Our intention was not to malign or embarrass the DSS, an institution we hold in the highest regard for its critical role in safeguarding our nation. Our reporting was based on eyewitness accounts and information obtained from sources at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

“However, we recognise that the report may have been incomplete and unintentionally misrepresented the Service and its presence at the State House of Assembly. We hereby regret any embarrassment this may have caused.”

In a related development, Channels Television in its programme ‘Politics Today’ anchored by Seun Akinbaloye, which featured a former Director of the Service, Mr Mohammed Ngoshe, touched on the matter, saying that the media may have been too quick to label the presence of the DSS at the Assembly as an “invasion”.

Speaking on the issue while responding to a question posed by Seun, the former DSS Director said; “It’s maybe the work of the press. I think the press jumped to a very hasty conclusion to begin to give such as invasion, it was this, it was that”.

However, Seun, who anchored the programme specifically acknowledged the description of the role played by the DSS at the Assembly as invasion, adding that subsequent revelations confirmed that the Lagos Assembly Clerk requested for protection from the DSS.

Seun of Channels Television said; “If you look at the video, it was made to appear as though the lawmakers were fighting to get inside and they were shocked that DSS was there”.

Seun then went further to say; “And I think it’s right to apologise to the Service to say, I mean, the use of “invasion” might not be the right word to use.

“From what we even understand, the DSS has the power under the law to move into any place as they deem fit. Is that right?”

In quick response, Ngoshe expressed appreciation for the clarification and the acknowledgment of the DSS’s role, but called for an official apologies to be communicated directly to the agency.

In the words of Ngoshe; “I hope the apologies will be carried to the DSS officially, because we need to stop some of these things”.

Seun in a professional display, end the interview on a note of appreciation for the dedication of security personnel across the country and particularly commended officers for their service to the nation.

Seun further said; “We care, and we love, and we respect, and we salute your bravery, wherever you may be. You might be in the interiors of Adamawa, or Borno State, or Benue, or in fact in Ekiti State, or Kwara, or in fact in Akwa Ibom, wherever you may be in the country, protecting the peoples of this country, we salute you tonight. Well done.”