DSS DG Orders Release Of Wrongfully Arrested Businesswoman, Approves N20 Million Compensation

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has ordered the release of Mrs Chineze Ozoadibe, an Abuja-based businesswoman wrongfully arrested over alleged oil bunkering. She has also been awarded N10 million as compensation.

In addition, five other persons who were unlawfully detained are to share another N10 million, bringing the total compensation approved to N20 million.

In a statement, the DSS explained that Mrs Ozoadibe’s arrest was coincidental, adding that the decision to release and compensate her reflects the Service’s new culture of acknowledging errors and providing redress under Mr Ajayi’s leadership.

The statement further noted that this is not the first time the DSS DG has taken such a measure. In a previous instance, Mr Ajayi approved N20 million compensation and lifelong medical care for a Jos-based businessman mistakenly shot by DSS operatives in 2016—an amount that far exceeded the court-ordered award.

Mr Ajayi urged DSS officers to conduct thorough investigations before making arrests and to promptly admit and correct mistakes whenever they occur.