Femi Falana, human rights lawyer,
has asked Mathew Seiyefa, acting director-general of the Department of State
Service (DSS), to release the names of 294 detainees in custody of the service.
In a letter to Seiyefa on
Tuesday, the lawyer accused the DSS of impunity, saying the detention of the
suspects for over two years amounts to infringement of their fundamental human
right.
The letter reads in part: “I
thank you for acceding to my request by releasing some of the persons who had
been detained for over two years without trial. However, I have confirmed from
the detainees who have just regained their freedom that not less than 294
others are still being held in dehumanising and degrading conditions in the
underground cells located in the headquarters of the State Security Service at
Abuja.
“As no person can be legally
detained beyond 48 hours without a court order in any part of Nigeria under the
current democratic dispensation you will agree with me that the detention of
the 294 persons in the custody of the State Security Service for over two years
is the height of official impunity as it constitutes a gross infringement of
their fundamental right to personal liberty guaranteed by section 35 of the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended and article 6
of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and
Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“In order to put an end to such
prolonged detention of citizens without trial I have requested the Chief Judge
of the Federal High Court to designate Judges to conduct a monthly visitation
of the detention facilities of the State Security Service and other law
enforcement agencies in line with the provisions of section 34 of the
Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
“However, in exercise of my right
under the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request you to avail me of the
names of the 294 detainees and and the particulars of the criminal offences
allegedly committed by each of them.
“In case any of the detainees has
been charged with any offence in any court of law you are also requested to
supply the details of the cases and the trial courts.”
Sambo Dasuki, former national
security adviser, and Ibrahim Zakzaky, are among the suspects in DSS custody.
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