From Sola Ojo, Kaduna
The Concerned Northern Forum has berated the Department of State Services (DSS) for ignoring the Courts’ orders on the release of the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, and Alh Aminu Idris Yaro (Sarkin Hausawan Lagos) and his wife Saadatu Yaro.
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos presided over by Justice Nicholas Oweibo and the High Court of FCT, Abuja presided over by Justice E Okpe, had in their separate orders on Tuesday, July 25 asked the Secrete Police to release the trio upon perfection of their release conditions.
In the case of Emefiele, the court ordered that he should be granted bail and remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail condition while in the case of Yaro and his wife, the Court ordered for their immediate release and restraining order that prevents the DSS from re-arresting them.
Emefiele was, however, re-arrested within the premises of the Federal High Court in Lagos despite the bail granted him by Justice Nicholas Oweibo after listening to the submissions of his counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), and with no rejection from the opposing counsel.
Reacting, Chairman, Board of Trustees,
Concerned Northern Forum, Mohammed Danlami, expressed concern over the tensed atmosphere created by men of the Secret Police while re-arresting Emefiele which led to an altercation between them and the men of the Correctional Service within the Court’s premises, describing it as worrisome.
He then urged the DSS to respect court orders, hand Emefiele to Nigerian Correctional Service officials and release Alh Aminu Yaro Sarki and his wife immediately.
He said, “DSS operatives were seen in physical and violent confrontations with the officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service. The way and manner they conducted themselves was not representative of the service.
“The DSS are feeling superior and untouchable. They go about assaulting Nigerians as if they are bigger than the laws of the country. This is unacceptable.
“We condemn it in totality. It’s zero disregard and abuse of the Judiciary, the NCoS and members of the public. If the DSS operates like this, what are they telling the world, what are they teaching the younger generation?,” he queried.
He continued: “On the strength of Tuesday’s shameful and unprofessional conduct by operatives of the DSS and for the continuous attack and disrespect on Judiciary and members of the public, both the DG and Lagos State Director of DSS should resign to save the reputation, dignity of the service and that of our country before the international community.
“We call for the urgent setting up of a special panel of inquiry to look into the dramatic scene that took place between operatives of the DSS and officials of the NCoS outside the court in Ikoyi, Lagos, get to its root and take necessary actions to guide against a repeat.”