Denge Josef Onoh, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), has publicly urged the Department of State Services (DSS) to refuse security clearance for ambassadorial nominee Reno Omokri. Onoh warned that granting this approval could jeopardize national security and negatively affect an existing legal case concerning treasonable felony. Speaking to reporters in Abuja on Wednesday, Onoh cautioned that approving Omokri, who is currently undergoing DSS vetting for the diplomatic position, would lead to “serious and unnecessary repercussions” for both the agency and the country. He argued that Omokri’s past public accusations against President Bola Tinubu were considerably more severe than those made by activist Omoyele Sowore, who is being prosecuted on charges including treasonable felony for repeatedly labeling the President as “a criminal.” Onoh asserted that Omokri went “significantly further” between 2022 and 2024 when he repeatedly called the President “a drug baron” and claimed he had documentary evidence which he vowed to present in court. The chieftain contended that granting the former presidential aide security clearance would conflict with the foundation of the ongoing prosecution against Sowore and reinforce claims of selective justice. Onoh stated, “Clearing Omokri sends the message that calling the President a ‘drug baron’ is compatible with high diplomatic office, while someone who made a less detailed allegation is in court.” He further warned that approving the clearance could damage the DSS’s credibility and expose Nigeria to diplomatic embarrassment, noting that certain foreign missions are reportedly uncomfortable with Omokri’s nomination. Citing Section 172 of the Constitution, which requires ambassadors to be individuals of proven integrity, Onoh cautioned that granting clearance could result in host countries rejecting Nigeria’s request for agrément and draw negative international media attention. He concluded, “To clear him is to hand him a platform to claim vindication, collapse the treasonable felony case, and make Nigeria a laughing stock on the diplomatic stage.”He stste
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