The Federal High Court in Abuja has joined the Department of
State Services (DSS) in a suit by a Lagos hotelier Saibu Ogunmola,
who is challenging his detention without trial.
He was arrested by the men of the Navy in connection with
illicit dealing in petroleum products and pipeline vandalism, and
was handed over to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
Justice Lilian Ojukwu had on April 17 granted an ex-parte
application ordering Navy and DIA to produce the hotelier.
The order followed an application by Ogunmola’s lawyer McAnthony
Aikharialea urging the court to order his release following Navy’s
failure to arraign him after keeping him for 90 days.
DIA and Navy, through their lawyers Messrs C. O. Abodunde and
Anthony Ebeh, told the court that Ogunmola was not in their custody
but had been transferred to the DSS for investigation and possible
prosecution.
Justice Ojukwu granted Aikharialea’s prayer to join DSS in the
suit to explain why it has not charged Ogunmola, who is the
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Peace and Love International
Hotel, Igbo Eseyore, Snake Island.
The hotelier is praying the court to declare that his arrest and
detention by the respondents is a violation of his fundamental
rights guaranteed by sections 35, 41 and 41 of the 1999
Constitution.
He also asked the court for an order restraining the respondents
from further arresting, detaining or any other manner infringing
upon his fundamental human rights.
Ogunmola is praying for an order compelling the respondents or
their agents to release him forthwith.
He prayed for N2.5 million as general damages for the breach of
his fundamental human rights.
Justice Ojukwu adjourned until Friday.
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airforce
helicopter
NAF Combat Helicopter Crash-Lands in
Katsina
A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Helicopter has crashed in the process
of landing while returning from an anti-armed banditry combat
mission in the Northwest Theatre under Operation HADARAN DAJI.
Details of the cause of the incident, which occurred at the Katsina
Airport at about 3.30pm today, 12 June 2019, are still scanty.
However, there was no loss of life, either of persons on board the
helicopter or on the ground.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar,
has immediately directed the constitution of a Board of Inquiry to
determine the exact cause of the incident. The NAF continues to
solicit the understanding and support of the general public as it
daily strives to ensure the security of Nigeria and Nigerians.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force