Breaking: DSS Reportedly arrest NBA 2026 Election Service Provider
Less than 48 hours before the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conducts its 2026 national elections, fresh controversy has erupted following allegations that the Managing Director of the Association’s election service provider was detained by persons believed to be operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The allegation was made on Wednesday by renowned human rights lawyer and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, through a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account.
In the post, Odinkalu alleged that the Managing Director of the service provider, who was reportedly travelling from Lagos to Abuja in connection with preparations for the NBA’s electronic election scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2026, was intercepted at the airport by persons suspected to be DSS operatives.
According to him, the officials allegedly confiscated the election official’s laptop computers and mobile phones before taking him into custody.
Odinkalu further alleged that the operation was orchestrated “at the instigation of elements sympathetic to a certain candidate of particular concern,” claiming that the objective was to frustrate the forthcoming NBA national elections.
He wrote:
“#Breaking: At the instigation of elements sympathetic to a certain candidate of particular concern, persons suspected to be agents of @OfficialDSSNG have reportedly abducted the MD of the Service Provider for the @NigBarAssoc in #NBADecides2026 at the MMIA airport in Lagos on his way to Abuja. They confiscated his laptop & phones & presently have him in their custody. The design is to frustrate #NBADecides2026.”
The claims have generated widespread reactions within the legal community, where many lawyers are expressing concern over the potential implications for the credibility and smooth conduct of the NBA’s 2026 national elections.
The election, which is expected to be conducted electronically on July 18, will determine the next set of national officers of the Association. The process has already attracted heightened scrutiny following controversies surrounding the appointment of the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA), the choice of election service provider, and calls by several stakeholders for greater transparency.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Department of State Services nor the Nigerian Bar Association had issued any official statement regarding the allegations. Likewise, the identity of the Managing Director of the service provider has not been officially disclosed by the Association, and the claims made by Odinkalu have not been independently verified by LawblogNG.
Should the allegations be confirmed, they could significantly impact preparations for Saturday’s election, particularly if the seized electronic devices contain critical election infrastructure or operational data.
LawblogNG will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as official reactions emerge from the DSS, the NBA, the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA), and the election service provider.
This is a developing story.
Ogho Emore, Managing Director of Thanelinc Nigeria Limited, hereby wish to categorically state the following for the record:
I was invited by officers of the Lagos State Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) to provide information and assistance in connection with a separate ongoing investigation that is entirely unrelated to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) elections or the electronic voting process.
I wish to place on record that throughout my engagement with the officers of the Lagos State DSS Command, I was treated with the utmost courtesy, respect, and professionalism. The officers conducted themselves in a cordial, respectful, and highly professional manner at all times. The discussions were transparent, focused solely on the subject of their investigation, and were carried out in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
Following the conclusion of the discussions and the provision of the requested information, I was released without incident.
I sincerely commend the officers and personnel of the Lagos State DSS Command especially the state director for their exemplary conduct and professional approach. I also reaffirm my commitment to cooperating with lawful authorities whenever required.