The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, on Friday flayed the DSS for failing to produce the 12 associates of Igboho in the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
The associates, through Igboho’s lawyer, Chief Yomi Alliyu (SAN), sued the DSS and its Director-General, Yusuf Bichi, for illegal arrest and detention. On Friday, July 23, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted the applications of detained associates.
But counsel for the DSS, Awo, during Thursday’s hearing told the court that the DSS had no intention of disobeying the court’s order. He stated that there were facts vital for the court to be aware of regarding the matter.
Adams in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Kehinde Aderemi, said the conduct of the secret police truly showed an affront on human rights.
He wondered why it took the DSS much time to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident where two of Igboho’s aides were killed, insisting that the DSS had exhibited pure neglect and arrogance capable of discrediting its image.
He said, “Our constitution is clear about the rights of every citizen that anybody arrested must be taken to court at the latest 24 hours after arrest and such rights must be protected under the law. It is sad and most unfortunate that the DSS had arrogated to itself covert powers that usually remind us of the inglorious years of the military where citizens rights had no basis in their law.
“Therefore, the DSS’ failure to produce Igboho’s aides in court for the second time was a flagrant display of lawlessness and gross injustice. Ideally, it is only the president and the vice president of the country that have immunity as provided by our constitution. So why is the DSS finding it too difficult to allow the constitution to take its course as it is done in other climes?’’
Adams also urged the DSS to be transparent in the discharge of its responsibilities, adding that the case against Igboho was so sensitive in nature that the secret police as an institution could claim to be above the law.
