The lawmaker representing Owan West constituency in the Edo
State House of Assembly, Hon. Ojo Asien, has been detained by men
of the Department for State Security.
It was learnt that Hon Asien has been transferred to Abuja for
further interrogation.
Hon Asien lawyer, Barr. Folorunsho Bamidele, who confirmed the
arrest to newsmen, said his client has been held incommunicado
against his fundamental human rights.
Bamidele alleged the DSS prevented anybody from seeing him.
“They prevented us from accessing him. We have written letters
to explain the position of the law to them as to why they need to
allow somebody who has been arrested access to his lawyer.
“The first day we went there, we were there till 10.30 pm
because they told us they were not going to detain him, that it was
just for mere invitation. That was the initial language they
used.
“We are left with no option than to prepare to file a suit for
the entrapment of his fundamental human right because as
constitutionally provided, they have exceeded the number of hours
as in our constitution that if you arrest anybody, within 24 hours,
you should present charges or free him.
“This country is not a banana Republic. Within 24 hours, you
ought to arraign the person, inform the person the nature of the
offence, allow the person have access to his legal representative
but they are just telling is that they are making him comfortable
but we know those things are just gimmick.”
On the possibility of political link to the arrest, Bamidele
said “Of-course, I am suspecting political victimisation, smoke
does not just come without fire.
‘’Then they say where the eagles are gathered, there the carcass
lies. You know the kind of person they have arrested; he is a very
strong person politically in that place and I think that is why
they are very reluctant in allowing his lawyer see him and know
what is going on.”
Speaker of the Edo Assembly, Kabiro Adjoto, said he was still
confused about the development
“But the leadership of the house will meet soonest to review the
situation and make our position known,” he stated.
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