Sunday Igboho’s aides granted bail after 32 days in DSS custody
The 12 detained aides of Yoruba secessionist leader, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, have been granted bail by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Department of State Services, DSS, though argued the release of four out of the twelve.
The detainees were admitted to bail by Justice Obiora Egwuatu in a ruling just delivered on their bail applications, filed and argued on their behalf by lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi.
The judge rejected the fears and apprehension expressed by DSS lawyer, Mr Idowu Awo, that some of the detainees will flee the country as their leader, Sunday Igboho, have done if granted bail.
The DSS told the court that it believes that the four Applicants would escape from the country like Igboho, once released from detention and would not make themselves available for further investigation or trial.
It told the court that the principal of the four Applicants, Igboho, is currently standing criminal trial in the Benin Republic after he was declared wanted in Nigeria.
“Rather than to turn himself in, he decided to flee this country. There is no guarantee that these four applicants will not follow the same if released on bail.
“There is credible information on how friends, family, and associates of these same four Applicants are making contacts with potential witnesses identified by the DSS.
“Some have been pressurized not to turn up in an event that they will be tried.
“These 4 Applicants will jeopardize ongoing investigation if released.
“Finally, it is our submission that once the investigation is concluded, the Respondents will not hesitate to charge them to court.
“At that point, we may concede to an accelerated trial. We do not want to take for granted the safety of our potential witnesses.
“We, therefore, ask this court to deny these four Applicants bail, in order not frustrate this process”, counsel to the DSS added.
About The Author
