Jones Abiri sues FG, demands N200m compensation

Jones Abiri, the Bayelsa-based journalist detained for two years without trial by the Department of State Services (DSS), has asked an Abuja Federal High Court to compel the federal government to pay him N200 million as compensation for his ordeal.

In July 2016, Abiri, publisher of Weekly Source Newspaper, was arrested by Department of State Services (DSS) and accused of being the leader of the joint revolutionary council of the Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force, a separatist group.

He was also accused of threatening oil companies and demanding money from them.

Abiri, who was arraigned for the first time after two years in July following public outcry, was granted bail in August. His release followed the ouster of Lawal Daura, former Director-General of the DSS who had ordered his arrest and detention.

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In the application already filed at the court by his lawyers led by Femi Falana (SAN), Abiri said the DSS violated his rights and tortured him.

Heargued that his prolonged detention without a trial violates his dignity of person and freedom of association.

The application could not be heard when it was called on Monday as G. O. Agbadua, counsel to DSS, had not filed an affidavit replying to the motion brought against the agency.

Agbadua told the court that he would need more time to respond to the motion.

The matter was then adjourned till September 3.

 

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