Man To Sue DSS, Buhari’s Daughter For Illegal Detention

Chuks Ekpeneru

One Anthony Okojie allegedly detained by the Department of State Service (DSS) for purchasing a sim card that was previously used by Hannan, a daughter of Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to seek legal redress.

Speaking through his lawyer, Tope Akinyode, Okojie said he was detained for over 15 weeks by operatives of the DSS.

According to Akinyode “the sim card became redundant and was recycled to the market for sale (after Hanan stopped using it).”

“Okolie lawfully bought the sim card after years of redundancy unknown to him who the previous owner was,” Akinyode claimed.

Akinyode said Okolie’s detention was unlawful because he has the receipt for the purchase of the sim card and all other documents pertaining to the sim card.

Okolie’s lawyer told The Guardian that in trying to get his client arrested, the DSS monitored his telephone conversation and initially arrested an elderly person who has a relationship with him until they later found Okolie.

“To start with, all the laws have settled that arrest by proxy is forbidden and unconstitutional in Nigeria,”

Akinyode said, “Also, the arrest of the victim over a property which he lawfully obtained is outrageously illegal just as the long detention without trial amounts to unlawful detention.”

His claim is supported by Nigerian law. By virtue of the provisions of section 35(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), section 483 of the criminal procedure Act and section 42 of the criminal procedure Code, the police ought not to detain any person for more than 24 hours without a warrant from a magistrate.

Akinyode disclosed that Okolie will proceed to court to file a lawsuit against the DSS and Ms Hanan Buhari, demanding compensation for the breach of his fundamental human rights.

“We are seeking legal redress on the matter,” Akinyode told The Guardian.

 “His (Okolie) detention for 10 weeks is unlawful and we will not accept such.”

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