After 38 days in DSS custody, ex-Gov Suswam runs to court

Former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has run to the Federal High Court in Abuja over his continuous detention in the hands of Department of State Service (DSS).

He is asking the court to enforce his fundamental rights to freedom of movement as guaranteed in Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and order the DSS to immediately release him from its custody.

DSS had in a statement it released on Sunday February 26, by its agent Tony Opuiyo claimed to have arrested Suswam after finding alleged incriminating items in cars parked at Dunes Investment and Global Properties Ltd in Abuja, said to have connection with the former governor.

Suswam has since then remained in the custody of the DSS.

Read also: N1.97bn CONTRACT SCAM: Court clears ex-minister Orubebe

However, in his suit against the DSS filed by his lawyer, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), the former governor prayed the court to enforce his fundamental rights to freedom of movement as guaranteed in Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 6 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap 10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

He went further to ask the court to restrain the DSS from administering any form of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment on him, as well as to nullify any statements, documents or other materials that may have been extracted or obtained from him through such illegal procedure.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/279/2017, Suswam also prayed the court to order the DSS to pay exemplary damages in the sum of N10billion for his unlawful arrest and detention since February 25, without trial.

RipplesNigeria ….without borders, without fears

Click here to download the Ripples Nigeria App for latest updates

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now