Finally, Nigerian govt orders release of Dasuki, Sowore, holds on to Zakzaki

The Federal Government has ordered the release of a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki and the convener of #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore from detention.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), gave indication to this effect when he said in a statement on Tuesday that he has directed the Department of State Services (DSS) to release both men from custody.

Dasuki, who has been in the DSS’ custody since December 2015, and Sowore, who was rearrested on December 6 barely 24 hours of being released from custody that lasted over four months, are said to be perfecting documentation for their release at the DSS headquarters, Abuja.

According to Malami, government has decided to obey the court orders granting bail to the two men, while also indicating he would file an appeal against the court orders. He enjoined them to observe their bail conditions.

Read also: Buhari govt, not El-Zakzaky should be facing criminal trial, IMN says

The statement read: “The Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation has reviewed the pending criminal charges against the duo of Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and Omoyele Sowore. Whilst the Federal High Court has exercised its discretion in granting bail to the Defendants in respect of the charges against them, I am also not unmindful of the right of the Complainant/Prosecution to appeal or further challenge the grant of bail by the court having regards to extant legal provisions, particularly Section 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. However, my Office has chosen to comply with the court orders while considering the pursuit of its rights of appeal and/or review of the order relating to the bail as granted or varied by the courts.

“In line with the provisions of Sections 150(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and in compliance with the bail granted to Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) (as recently varied by the Court of Appeal) and the bail granted to Omoyele Sowore, I have directed the State Security Services to comply with the order granting bail to the Defendants and effect their release.

“The two Defendants are enjoined to observe the terms of their bail and refrain from engaging in any act that is inimical to public peace and national security as well as their ongoing trial which will run its course in accordance with the laws of the land.

“I wish to reiterate again the utmost regard of my Office for the entire judicial structure of Nigeria. This administration remains unrelenting in deepening the rule of law and the administration of justice in general.”

While the federal government has released Dasuki and Sowore, it kept mum on the fate of the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky, and his wife, who have been in the DSS custody since 2015.

The DSS has continued to hold onto the Shiite leader despite a court order for their release.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had in 2016 gave the secret police a 45-day window to comply with his directive.

El-Zakzaky was arrested in 2015 after his followers clashed with soldiers in the convoy of the Chief of the Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai in Zaria, Kaduna.

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