Court Orders DSS To Release Detained Ekiti Lawmaker

The Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti yesterday ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to release a member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Afolabi Akanni, who was arrested last week Friday.

In the alternative, the court in its ruling delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, ordered the DSS to produce Akanni in court on Wednesday, March 16, and show cause why he would not be released.

Akanni, representing Efon constituency, was arrested by the DSS for an undisclosed reason and whisked to Abuja and has since been detained by the security agency.

Consequently, Akanni, through his lawyers, Obafemi Adewale and Bunmi Olugbade approached the court with an ex-parte application seeking the protection of his fundamental human rights in line with Section 35 (1) of the 1999 constitution.

The ex-parte motion dated March 10 and supported by a 21-paragraph affidavit deposed to by a member of the State House of Assembly, Tunji Akiyele, sought an order of the court compelling the DSS to release Akanni pending the determination of the substantive issue.

The motion also sought an order restraining the DSS from further re-arresting, harassing or intimidating Akanni until the main issue pending before the court is entertained and judgment dispensed.

In his ruling, Justice Taiwo agreed with the applicant that the enforcement of fundamental human rights is a case of urgency, which should be treated expeditiously, citing the cases of Beko Ransome Kuti vs SSS and Tunji Abayomi vs SSS.