Ade Adesomoju, Abuja

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), added his voice to the call for investigation and prosecution of federal lawmakers involved in the padding of the 2016 budget, but said the Department of State Service lacked both the moral and legal rights to carry out the probe.

[b]Falana said in a statement on Sunday that the DSS had by its recent acts lost moral right to probe the scam and thus could not be trusted with such responsibility.

He cited as an example, DSS’ recent arrest and detention of the principal officers and administrative staff of the Zamfara State House of Assembly for attempting to commence an impeachment proceedings against Governor Mohammed Yari on grounds of alleged corrupt practices



He also said there was no legal backing for the DSS to embark on such investigation as the agency, according to the senior lawyer, by virtue of National Security Agencies Act, was strictly limited to the “preservation and detection within Nigeria of any crime against the internal security of Nigeria.”

He said since the alleged budget padding was a form of economic crime and had nothing to do with internal security, the DSS should be stopped from going ahead with the investigation.

He also said the police as well as other anti-graft agencies should be allowed to get to root of the scam and bring the culprits to book.[/b]

Falana said, “It was reported last week that the Nigeria Police Force had commenced investigations into the criminal allegation of the padding of the national budget by some members of the House of Representatives.

“Some civil society organisations have also requested the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission to wade into the matter. Curiously, the State Security Service (Department of State Service) is alleged to have usurped the statutory duties of the police and the anti graft agencies by taking over the investigation of the padding of the budget.

“Based on the illegal decision to take over the investigation the DSS is reported to have sealed off the office of the Chairman of the Appropriation Committee of the House of Representatives.

“Having regard to the recent activities of the SSS and the clear provisions of the relevant laws on investigation of corruption and other economic and financial crimes the DSS lacks the moral right and legal powers to interfere in the investigation of the criminal allegation of padding of the budget in any manner whatsoever.”

He added, “More importantly, by virtue of the provisions of the National Security Agencies Act the powers of the SSS are strictly limited to the ‘preservation and detection within Nigeria of any crime against the internal security of Nigeria.’

“Since the padding of the national budget is a straight forward case of economic crime which is not concerned with the internal security of the nation the SSS should not play into the soiled hands of the criminal suspects in the House of Representatives as they may later turn round to challenge the legal validity of any criminal charge arising from a faulty investigation report.

“The SSS should be called to order as the nation cannot afford to bungle the investigation of the highly placed politically exposed persons involved in the padding of the budget.

“In the light of the foregoing, the Police and the anti graft agencies should be allowed to get to the root of the criminality of budget padding in the National Assembly.”

http://punchng.com/budget-padding-dss-lacks-rights-investigate-reps-says-falana/

For those who will not read and start comment for or against Falana and even insulting him, what he is simply saying is that DSS has no moral and Legal right to investigate the house since the alleged crime is a financial one that the police, EFCC or ICPC can handle.

9jatriot:
For those who will not read and start comment for or against Falana and even insulting him, what he is simply saying is that DSS has no moral and Legal right to investigate the house since the alleged crime is a financial one that the police, EFCC or ICPC can handle.

9jatriot:
For those who will not read and start comment for or against Falana and even insulting him, what he is simply saying is that DSS has no moral and Legal right to investigate the house since the alleged crime is a financial one that the police, EFCC or ICPC can handle.

Mr sabi,pls can d EFCC collaborate with DSS to arrest these people

I think this is a case for the police. No looting or theft of public funds have been done yet.

OK

I don't know why the Director of DSS, Mr Daura cannot confine himself within the area of authority and jurisdiction bestowed on his agency by the constitution. He should concentrate more energy to undercover activities that will locate the hiding places of kidnappers, armed robbers, oil pipeline vandals, electricity saboteurs, and many others who create so much insecurity in the country....and get them arrested for prosecution. Mr Daura: Nigerians are living dangerously due to insecurity problems everywhere. Where is Tompolo? Your hands are already full with jobs undone and you must not cross paths and create problems with other agencies by always dabbling into where you have little or no business. Internal security is seriously begging for your attention, leave the EFCC and the Police to deal with financial and economic crimes... refer such cases to appropriate agencies if you run into them. Please, Mr Daura!

Ok..



Check my signature

wetin dey do dis Falz dad gan set? wetin dey do dis Falz dad gan set?

This man hasn't noticed that for every rubbish he posts on the internet , five strands of his hair greys. The people that employed the services of the DSS, don't they know they don't have the legality to do so. The DSS nko, don't they know their jurisdiction. The mass he is feeding this joblessness to, don't we know that anyone with power in Nigeria is above the law and that the poor masses are their puppets. God will save this nation. I kmlw that.

I hate it when people speak different things from the same mouth. Falana used to be an authority, what a change. If it Fayose or Ekiti law maker the same learned silk will say "corruption is the worst form of crime against the state".

Ironically this same DSS and other agencies have rights to investigate a Governor who has constitutional immunity?

The stùpid ones are always coçk sure.

FALANA SHUT UP JPR SO THAT MEANS THEY CAN PAD THE BUDGET ABI? WITH PAD OR PAMPERS? A BUDGET THAT IS LACKING AND DONE TO FAVOUR CERTAIN SECTORS AS AGAINST OTHERS IRRATIONALLY WAS PADDED AND YPU ARE SAYING REPS CANNOT BE QUIZZED?....HW MUCH DEM DON PAY YOU TO AIR YOUR LAWYER MUMU VIEWS? OLD MAN NO SENSE

Some people don't read posts before commenting. Mr Falana gave an instance to support what he said which is the truth.. Till now I haven't heard the outcome on the arrest of Zamfara lawmakers.

9jatriot:
For those who will not read and start comment for or against Falana and even insulting him, what he is simply saying is that DSS has no moral and Legal right to investigate the house since the alleged crime is a financial one that the police, EFCC or ICPC can handle.

ok

DSS in this administration has become nothing but palace guard

Daura Secret Service, APCs PS

9jatriot:
For those who will not read and start comment for or against Falana and even insulting him, what he is simply saying is that DSS has no moral and Legal right to investigate the house since the alleged crime is a financial one that the police, EFCC or ICPC can handle.

It's a matter of national security

But DSS has right to investigate a sitting governor abi?

Give Food to Mr. Femi Falana, he will sing praises for you

rita25:
FALANA SHUT UP JPR SO THAT MEANS THEY CAN PAD THE BUDGET ABI? WITH PAD OR PAMPERS? A BUDGET THAT IS LACKING AND DONE TO FAVOUR CERTAIN SECTORS AS AGAINST OTHERS IRRATIONALLY WAS PADDED AND YPU ARE SAYING REPS CANNOT BE QUIZZED?....HW MUCH DEM DON PAY YOU TO AIR YOUR LAWYER MUMU VIEWS? OLD MAN NO SENSE

Better go through the post before u acting Dumb. He never said investigation shouldn't be carried out.. .just read the post.
No time

Who is Falana? A talkative

Me think, Falana lacks the moral right to give this opinion that he just gave.

Me think, Falana lacks the moral right to give this opinion that he just gave.

This charge and bail lawyer has lost relevance.....


Can't he understand

rita25:
FALANA SHUT UP JPR SO THAT MEANS THEY CAN PAD THE BUDGET ABI? WITH PAD OR PAMPERS? A BUDGET THAT IS LACKING AND DONE TO FAVOUR CERTAIN SECTORS AS AGAINST OTHERS IRRATIONALLY WAS PADDED AND YPU ARE SAYING REPS CANNOT BE QUIZZED?....HW MUCH DEM DON PAY YOU TO AIR YOUR LAWYER MUMU VIEWS? OLD MAN NO SENSE

Baabu comprehension fa?

But DSS and EFCC has right to arrest an incumbent Governor (Fayose) according to Falana.


Falana is a zombie

Integrity challenged Falana speaking from both sides of the mouth. Femi Falana supports impunity when it favors him but at different times changes tongue to deceive the gullible. Who still takes him serious these days？

ok

9jatriot:
For those who will not read and start comment for or against Falana and even insulting him, what he is simply saying is that DSS has no moral and Legal right to investigate the house since the alleged crime is a financial one that the police, EFCC or ICPC can handle.

But DSS had the right in the past .Ewu malu