DSS Selective Obedience To Court Order, An Affront To, Disregard Of Authority — Olajengbesi Esq.
Operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS), have freed two of Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Igboho.
According to the Principal Partner, Pelumi Olajengbesi, Esq., painstaking efforts were made to secure their release.
“The keenly observing world will recall that during our last press briefing on the on-going case of Chief Sunday Igboho’s aides, it was reported that the DSS is yet release four (4) of detainees on their custody on grounds of bail perfection technicality, whilst we were allowed to secure the release of others.
“Sequel to the refusal of the DSS to release the other detainees, concerted efforts were immediately made to resolve all technical issues raised by the DSS.
“Accordingly, on Friday September 3rd 2021, the 3rd of September, 2021, all issues raised were resolved and we proceeded to the Headquarters of the DSS to demand the immediate release of the four (4) remaining detainees in its custody.
“Regrettably and in the whimsical habit of the DSS, only two of the remaining four received their freedom, Tajudeen Irinloye and Uthman Opeymi Adelabu.
“While the other two namely; Amudat Habibat Babatunde and Jamiu Noah Oyetunji, remain in the unlawful custody of the DSS. No valid reasons based on law were availed the Legal Team for this willful disobedience of the rule of law and express Order of court.
“The DSS’ act of cherry-picking of an order of court is an open dare and affront on the authority of the issuing court and it lacks legal justification under the extant laws of Nigeria.
“It is indeed a condemnable action in any sane democratic society and speaks ill of the professionalism of the intelligence agency.
“The DSS simply has no right nor power to select or unilaterally handpick which order of court is convenient for it to obey or honor.
“It is bound to obey all. Any iota of non-compliance to an order of court is tantamount to a disregard of such an order in its entirety and a challenge to the Constitution. This capricious act is contemptuous.
“Consequently, we hereby restate that if by Monday the 6th of September, 2021, the DSS continue with their unlawful detention of the remaining two (2) detainees, we shall not hesitate to proceed forthwith with our earlier plans to institute Contempt proceeding against the Director General of the SSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi.
“The DSS as a law enforcement agency should not be allowed to carry out its official responsibility with impunity and absolute disrespect to the laws of the land especially where the constitutional rights and liberty of citizens are at stake.
“It is a reprehensible conduct unbecoming of an agency which is itself a creation of the law and it will not go unchallenged”.
Thank you.
Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq.
Principal Partner
Law Corridor
