Ex-Boko Haram spokesman sues Malami, DSS, demands N500,000 compensation

A high court in the federal capital territory (FCT) has fixed May 23 for hearing of a case by Ali Konduga, a former spokesman of Boko Haram, against Department of State Services (DSS).

Kodunga is seeking N500,000 in damages for alleged breach of his fundamental rights.

Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), is also named as a defendant in the suit.

According to processes filed Mohammed Tola, his counsel, the ex-spokesman of Boko Haram alleged that he was kept in detention for extra three years after serving his three-year jail term before he was released in 2016.

Konduga claimed that he was kept in the custody of the DSS instead of the conventional prison to serve his term because the government wanted him to serve as a key witness to prove a terrorism charge against Ali Ndume, a senator.

He said till the time of his release, he was never called to testify in the matter or any other matter.

The ex-insurgent claimed that the DSS offered his family N700,000 when he was released and informed his family that the money was meant for his medical treatment.

Konduga said the gesture of the secret police was an indication that he was entitled to compensation for his “illegal and unlawful detention”.

He said the DSS refused to pay him any other compensation except the N700,000.

He said some individuals attacked him after he was released in 2016 and that he sustained a head injury from the attack.

Apart from the N500,000, he demanded an unreserved public apology in three national newspapers from the respondents.