- Demands Retraction Of SaharaReporters’ June 29 Publication, Threatens Legal Action
A RETIRED officer of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, has apologised to the Director-General, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, and the association of retired DSS officers over the leakage of an internal matter to the online media platform, SaharaReporters.
News Point Nigeria reports that the retired officer has also written to SaharaReporters, demanding the retraction of a report published by the platform on June 29, 2026, which he described as containing inaccuracies. He gave the media organisation seven days to retract the report or face possible legal action.
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Ezeakolam’s letter to SaharaReporters was written through his lawyer, Edmund C. Ben, the principal partner of Lawminds Associates. The letter was dated October 16, 2026.
In the letter, the law firm expressed concern over the publication, which it said denigrated the office of the Director-General of the Department of State Services and ARODSSON.
The letter read: “We write to express our profound concern regarding the publication made by your online publication on 29th June 2026, wherein the exalted office of the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and ARODSSON were denigrated.”
The law firm acknowledged the fundamental role of the media in promoting transparency, accountability and public discourse, but stressed the need for responsible journalism, factual accuracy and fairness, as well as the right of individuals to respond to publications that could adversely affect their reputations.
“While we recognize the fundamental role of the media in promoting transparency, accountability, and public discourse, we also emphasize the importance of responsible journalism, factual accuracy, fairness, and the right of individuals to respond to publications that may adversely affect their reputation,” the law firm added.
Ezeakolam’s lawyers also charged SaharaReporters to publish an official response from their client addressing the claims and assertions contained in the June 29, 2026 publication.
Additionally, the law firm demanded that the media platform retract any inaccurate or unsubstantiated claims contained in the report.
It stressed that “where any statements in the publication are found to be factually inaccurate, misleading, or unsupported by verifiable evidence, we demand their prompt correction and retraction.”
Although the retired officer’s lawyers expressed optimism that SaharaReporters would cooperate, they warned that failure to respond appropriately within seven days of receiving the letter could lead to further legal action.
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The letter stated: “Should your newspaper fail to respond appropriately within 7 days from the receipt of this letter on you, we reserve the right to consider further lawful steps available to address the matter.”
Meanwhile, in a separate letter to the DSS Director-General dated September 22, 2026, Ezeakolam expressed deep regret over his decision to escalate and publish an internal matter on an online media platform.
In the letter, the retired officer acknowledged that his action was a serious error of judgment and apologised for the consequences.
“I write this letter with deep regret and humility, to apologise for my decision to escalate and publish an internal matter on an online media space. I acknowledge that making such publication was a serious error in judgment and I regret the consequences,” he wrote.
He further explained that he never intended to harm the Director-General or the office he occupies, nor did he intend to expose him to legal difficulties.
“It was never my intention to cause any harm to your esteemed self or the exalted office of the DGSS; or to expose you to legal difficulties. I recognize that internal matters are sensitive in nature and should not have been made available publicly,” Ezeakolam stated.
The retired officer also offered a sincere apology for any harm or embarrassment his actions might have caused the Director-General and his office, adding that the incident had taught him a painful but important lesson.
“I humbly and sincerely apologize for the harm and embarrassment that my actions may have caused you and your reputable office. I assure you that I have learned a painful and important lesson from this incident,” he wrote.
Reaffirming his allegiance to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Ezeakolam said his loyalty remained intact despite his retirement from service. He also denied participating in, or intending to participate in, any act that could undermine the country’s security.
“My allegiance is and will remain wholly to the Federal Government of Nigeria as a retired officer. I have never participated and will never participate in any act that is inimical to the security of this nation,” he wrote.
He concluded his letter with an appeal to the DSS Director-General to show mercy and resolve the matter internally.
“I plead with you sir, to temper justice with mercy and resolve the matter internally,” Ezeakolam added.
