Lagos, Nigeria – February 19, 2025 – The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a stern warning to Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Channels Television over their reports on the service’s alleged involvement in the Lagos State House of Assembly crisis.
The DSS described the reports as “false and malicious” and has threatened legal action if the stations fail to retract the stories and issue a public apology.
In a letter addressed to the media organizations, DSS lawyer Adedeji Adedipe (SAN) stated that the stations misrepresented the service’s role in the events of February 17, 2025.
On that day, tensions escalated over the possible return of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, prompting heightened security concerns.
According to the DSS, its presence at the Assembly complex was solely to support other security forces in maintaining order, denying any allegations of interference in legislative matters.
Adedipe emphasized that the DSS did not engage in any unlawful activities and accused the broadcasters of spreading misinformation that could damage the agency’s reputation.
Demand for Retraction and Apology
The DSS has demanded an immediate retraction of the reports, along with a formal public apology to be broadcast on AIT and Channels TV across all platforms for three consecutive days.
The agency insists that the stations’ coverage misled the public and portrayed the DSS as being politically involved in the crisis.
“The reports aired by these media houses contained false and misleading statements regarding the role of the DSS during the Lagos Assembly crisis.
Such reportage is not only damaging to the credibility of the service but also has the potential to incite public unrest,” Adedipe wrote in the legal notice.
The DSS also referenced Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act, suggesting that the stations’ reports could be classified as a form of cyber libel or misinformation, both of which are punishable under Nigerian law.
Threat of Legal Action
The security agency has given AIT and Channels TV a seven-day ultimatum to comply with its demands. Failure to retract the reports and issue a public apology within this period, the DSS warned, would lead to both civil and criminal legal proceedings.
This development has sparked reactions within Nigeria’s media industry, with some journalists and press freedom advocates raising concerns about the implications of the DSS’s actions.
Critics argue that legal threats against news organizations could stifle investigative journalism and suppress critical reporting on security agencies.
However, supporters of the DSS’s stance believe that media outlets have a duty to verify facts before broadcasting sensitive reports, particularly those involving national security agencies.
As of the time of reporting, AIT and Channels TV have not issued official responses to the DSS’s demands. It remains to be seen whether the broadcasters will comply with the retraction request or challenge the DSS’s claims in court.
This case adds to the ongoing debate over press freedom and government accountability in Nigeria, with observers watching closely to see how it unfolds in the coming days.
