A retired officer of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nwaogu Ihechimere Ezeakolam, has apologised to the company’s Director-General, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, and the affiliation of retired DSS officers over the publication of an inner matter on SaharaReporters.
The retired officer has additionally demanded a retraction of a report revealed by the net media platform on June 29, 2026, alleging that it contained inaccuracies and denigrated the workplace of the DSS Director-General and the affiliation of retired officers.
Through his lawyer, Edmund C. Ben, principal accomplice of Lawminds Associates, Ezeakolam gave SaharaReporters seven days to retract the disputed report or face doable authorized motion.
In a letter dated October 16, 2026, the regulation agency expressed concern over the publication, stating: “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 legal professionals acknowledged the position of the media in selling accountability however emphasised the necessity for accuracy and equity.
“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 letter acknowledged.
The regulation agency requested SaharaReporters to publish an official response from its consumer addressing the claims within the report.
It additionally demanded that the platform “retract any inaccurate or unsubstantiated claims,” including 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.”
The legal professionals warned that failure to reply appropriately inside seven days of receiving the letter could lead on to additional authorized steps.
“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,” the letter acknowledged.
In a separate letter dated September 22, 2026, addressed to the DSS Director-General, Ezeakolam expressed remorse over his determination to make the interior matter public.
“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 mentioned he didn’t intend to hurt Ajayi or expose the DSS chief to authorized 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 acknowledged.
The retired officer additionally apologised for any embarrassment his actions may need brought about the Director-General and the company.
“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, Ezeakolam mentioned he had neither participated in nor supposed to take part in actions that might threaten the nation’s safety.
“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 acknowledged.
He concluded his enchantment by asking the Director-General to resolve the matter internally.
“I plead with you sir, to temper justice with mercy and resolve the matter internally,” he added.
