On Friday, a Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, dismissed a preliminary objection brought by a defense attorney questioning the Department of State Security’s (DSS) ability to pursue cybercrimes.
A teenager was accused of cyberstalking by the DSS and was brought before the court on October 18, 2021.
The prosecution claims that the defendant engaged in cyberstalking by posting a retired permanent secretary’s naked photo on social media after attempting to blackmail the retiree into giving her N15 million.
Mr. Andrew Arthur, the young girl’s attorney, had submitted a Notice of Objection contesting the authority of DSS to look into and prosecute the charge brought against the defendant.
Justice Isa Dashen announced his judgement after carefully considering the arguments and legal precedents offered by the defense and prosecution attorneys.
“I have carefully read the arguments made by the attorneys for both sides and the examples they referenced, and I agree with them. I disagree with the defense’s claim that DSS lacks the authority to bring cybercrimes to justice.
“The DSS is a relevant security agency under the Cybercrimes Prevention and Prohibition Act 2015, and it is qualified to conduct investigations into and bring legal actions against cybercrimes.
“The DSS conducted a competent investigation into this case, and Victor Uchendu, the prosecuting attorney for the DSS, has the authority to bring charges. I thus dismiss the Notice of Preliminary Objection.
Justice Dashen announced, “The case is hereby delayed until September 28.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the retired permanent secretary, who is now deceased, testified in court for the DSS on behalf of the agency after the teenager made a nude video of him during their sexual encounter in August 2021 at a Yenagoa hotel.
In November 2022, the retired permanent secretary passed away.
