News
Federal High Court fines DSSS N407m for violating deceased suspect’s rights
The long awaited outcome of the case of Salamatu Adamu, the Lafia based house wife, who was arrested by the personnel of the Department of State Security Service (DSSS), and subsequently allegedly tortured and killed in custody, has been put to rest in favoure of the applicants at the Federal High Court I, sitting in Lafia.
Justice Ajiya H. Nganjiwa, who presided over the case, dismissed the preliminary objection of ‘no cause of action’, filed by the DSSS.
In his ruling, the Judge, awarded a cumulative sum of Four Hundred and Seven Million Naira (N407million), on the account of violation of fundamental right of the 45-year Salamatu Adamu.
Justice Nganjiwa, however directed DSSS to release the corpse of the deceased, deposited at the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital, to the family for burial according to the Islamic rite.
He condemned the act of the DSSS personnel against the deceased woman and her family, saying that, nobody or institution is above the constitutional provision in a lively democratic society.
Abubakar Abubakar Dogara, the Counsel to Musa Shittu Mohammed, husband to the deceased woman, thanked the court for the ruling and for grantng all their prayers against the DSSS.
“We are in court upon endorsement of the fundamentals rights of one Salamatu Adamu, who died in the custody of the Department of State Security Service.
“We have filed our processes and the court, in it wisdom asserted that by the outrageous conduct of the respondent (DSSS), have violated the rights of Salamatu Administration, since, of course they can not justify the purpose of her arrest”, Abubakar Dogara said.
He said, we are happy that the court grant all their relief sought, and will continue to fight actions against fundamentals rights.
Abdullazeez Y. Afebwa, the counsel to the DSSS, simply appreciated the court for ruling.
When contact for further comment on the telephone after the judgement, Afebwa, refuse commenting, and rather suggested that, a former request be lodged to his office in that regard.
The DSSS counsel insisted that, for him to say a word, “I have to seek the audience from my office before I can talk to you.
He later said, he will get back to the reporter, “let me discuss with my people that you called, and as at the time of filing this report, there was no response from the counsel Afebwa.
The DSSS had claimed in counter affidavit that, Salamatu Adamu died as a result of sudden dead, with documentary evidence.
The Court, however stroke out all the issues the DSSS brought for determination against the deceased, on account of frivolity.
It will be recalled that, on the November 7, 2023, at about 9am, the deceased mother of two girls and a boy, was arrested at her resident in Tudun Kofa in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.
Salamatu Adamu, was allegedly accused by one Adamu, as one of the accomplices and conspirator to a kidnapped case of a little boy in the area, of which, the DSSS picked and tortured her to death without justification.
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Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.