The Department of State Services (DSS), on Wednesday, produced the 12 detained associates of Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, before a Federal High Court, Abuja in compliance with its earlier order.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu had, on July 23, ordered the security agency to bring the detainees in court following an ex-parte motion moved by counsel to the 12 applicants, Pelumi Olahengbesi, to seek for the enforcement of their fundamental rights.
Although the DSS had, on two occasions, failed to produce them in court, the security outfit today, Aug. 4, brought the 12 detainees before the court to show cause why they should not be released on bail.
The last adjourned date, only eight out of the 12 suspects were brought to the court.
The 12 accused persons are Abdulateef Ofeyagbe, Amoda Babatunde, Tajudeen Erinoyen, Diakola Ademola, Abideen Shittu, Jamiu Noah, and Ayobami Donald.
Others are Adelabe Usman, Oluwapelimi Kunle, Raji Kazeem, Taiwo Opeyemi and Bamidele Sunday, while the two respondents in the matter are DG, DSS and the DSS.
Others are Adelabe Usman, Oluwapelimi Kunle, Raji Kazeem, Taiwo Opeyemi and Bamidele Sunday, while the two respondents in the matter are DG, DSS and the DSS.
Pelumi Olajengbesi, counsel for the 12 prayed that the Court admit his clients to bail unconditionally.
Olajengbesi told the court that contrary to the Section 35(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which stipulated that a suspect be charged to court within 24 hours, the DSS had kept the applicants for about 34 days in detention.
However, Counsel to the DSS, I. Awo, though opposed the application for bail for four of the applicants in custody.
He did not oppose the application for bail for eight others.
He argued that this was due to the level of their involvement in the offence preferred against them.
He argued that this was due to the level of their involvement in the offence preferred against them.
The DSS specifically did not oppose bail for 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th applicants, but objected strongly to granting bail to 2nd, 12th, 6th and 5th applicants.
Justice Egwuatu then stood down the matter for ruling.
