Detention: Suswam withdraws N10bn suit against DSS, AGF

From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

Former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, yesterday withdrew his N10 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed against the Department of State Service (DSS), its Director-General, Lawal Daura, and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) before the Abuja division of the Federal High Court.
Consequently, Justice Gabriel Kolawole struck out the suit, which was pending before his court.
When the matter came up yesterday, counsel to Suswam,  Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), moved an application for the withdrawal of the suit, which was not opposed by counsel to the defendants, Mr. C.D Akpe.
At yesterday’s court session, Suswam, who was recently released from the custody of the DSS, after 70 days detention,  was present in court.
In the suit, which was withdrawn,  the former governor, through his counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), urged the court to declare that his arrest and detention, without trial or due process being followed, violated his fundamental human rights to personal liberty, as guaranteed by sections 35(1) of the 1999 constitution and Article 5 and 6 of the African Charter on human and people’s rights.
The former governor  is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the same Abuja Division of the Federal High Court,
He is charged, along his former Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Omadachi Oklobia, with diversion of about N3.9billion belonging to Benue State when he was governor.