Denge Josef Onoh, Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly and former Southeast spokesperson for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has warned the Department of State Services (DSS) against granting security clearance to social commentator Reno Omokri. He cautioned that such a decision could compromise national security, undermine an ongoing treasonable felony prosecution, and harm Nigeria’s international reputation.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja, Onoh said the ramifications of approving Omokri’s clearance “directly affect national security, the integrity of current treasonable felony cases, the credibility of the DSS, and Nigeria’s standing in the international community.”
He noted that Omokri is currently among ambassadorial nominees undergoing DSS screening, stressing that issuing clearance at this stage would be a serious and avoidable mistake with far-reaching consequences.
Onoh drew a direct parallel between Omokri’s past public allegations against President Tinubu and the ongoing prosecution of activist Omoyele Sowore, arguing that granting clearance to Omokri would contradict the legal basis of Sowore’s trial.
He explained that Sowore is facing charges, including treasonable felony, partly due to repeatedly referring to the President as “a criminal” in a case before the Federal High Court. Onoh pointed out that Omokri “went further,” publicly calling the President “a drug baron” multiple times between 2022 and 2024, claiming to possess evidence and challenging the President to sue him in court.
According to Onoh, the nature of Omokri’s allegations makes them “more explosive and destabilising” than Sowore’s. He warned that granting him security clearance for an ambassadorial post would create a “fatal contradiction,” implying that such serious accusations are compatible with high diplomatic office while another individual is being prosecuted for a lesser claim.
Onoh added that this could allow Sowore’s legal team to argue selective prosecution and political bias, potentially weakening the case and embarrassing Nigeria on the international stage.
He also cited constitutional and diplomatic concerns, noting that Section 172 of the 1999 Constitution requires ambassadors to be individuals of proven integrity. Onoh claimed that some foreign missions have raised concerns about Omokri’s past conduct, and clearing him could trigger diplomatic pushback or refusals of agrément.
He warned that approving Omokri’s appointment could damage the DSS’s credibility, suggesting a perception of double standards based on political affiliation rather than the substance of allegations.
Onoh further noted that Omokri’s appointment would likely attract global media attention, portraying Nigeria as rewarding someone who spent years accusing the President of serious crimes, thereby tarnishing the country’s image.
He concluded by urging the DSS to deny security clearance to Omokri, stating:
“To approve him is to give him a platform to claim vindication, undermine an ongoing treasonable felony prosecution, ridicule the DSS, and make Nigeria the subject of international mockery.”
