Fuel scarcity: DSS ultimatum an empty threat – Femi Falana

 

Human right lawyer, Femi Falana, has described the ultimatum by the Department of State Service (DSS) to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) as empty threats.

 

DSS, through its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, had given a 48-hour ultimatum to NNPC and oil marketers on Thursday to end the lingering scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Nigeria.

 

But Falana, on Friday during a live interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, described the ultimatum as an empty threat, saying, ”the ultimatum will not work because there is no sanction for impunity in Nigeria.”

 

“The State Security Service (SSS) does not operate under the law in Nigeria. It does its own thing. There is no one to call the agency to order. They know it’s just an empty threat because nobody will be arrested and prosecuted to teach a lesson.

 

“When toxic fuel was brought to Nigeria some time ago, the government promised to deal with those involved, saying it will never happen again. Was anyone arrested? Was anyone prosecuted? It’s the same thing because they know the people behind it. It’s like oil theft,” he said.

 

While commending the security concerns of the secret service, he noted that the continued presence of long queues at filling stations could lead to “serious security problems.”

 

Citing the constitution, Falana who stated that the president is empowered to call in the military in the event that police cannot maintain adequate internal security, also explained that “DSS is a secret agency required to submit reports for the president to take appropriate action.”

 

Falana, however, urged the federal government to run Nigeria in line with the provisions of the law.