17th March, 2016
Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
The Department of State Security Services on Thursday dismissed claims that Honourable Akanni Afolabi, a member of Ekiti State House Assembly who has been in its custody since last week has passed on.
The Service said this in reaction to claims by the Ekiti State Government that the lawmaker who has been since he was arrested last week is dead.
Tony Opuyo, spokesperson for DSS dismissed the claims in a statement read out to journalists in Abuja that the lawmaker is not dead.
The DSS also displayed the lawmaker who looked very weak before journalists. The lawmaker confirmed to journalists that he is Honourable Afolabi.
“This press conference has become necessary in order to debunk a rumour which is being dangerously spread in Ekiti State by some mischief makers to the effect that Hon. Afolabi has died in custody.
“Nigerians and Ekiti people in particular are convinced to see that Afolabi is hale and hearty as he is being presented to the press today,” said Opuiyo.
READ: Ekiti lawmaker dies in EFCC custody
On why the lawmaker was arrested, the DSS spokesperson said Afolabi was duly invited by the Service over some serious breaches bordering on state security and for which he has some explanations to make.
“These breaches fall under the purview of the DSS to investigate,” said Opuiyo.
He added that the lawmaker spurned the invitation until he was arrested.
But he failed to explain what the security breaches committed by Afolabi are.
The DSS also warned “all those who have planned to make a meat out of this to desist from it and stir clear from trouble as the Service will not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law against any one or persons that may engage in violent actions of any kind.”
The Service also asked all law abiding Ekiti residents to go about their normal businesses while assuring them of full protection by security agencies.