Lawyer raises alarm over DJ’s detention by DSS without trial

Lawyers from Chief B.E. Okemili Associates Law Firm have raised the alarm over the detention of Obikezie Uzochukwu John, a DJ, by the Department of State Services (DSS) without trial.

John was reportedly arrested on March 17, 2024, by the Commander of the Ebubeagu security outfit in Orlu, Imo State, on allegations of being a member of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

The legal practitioner argued that John’s detention is unjust, noting that he has not been charged or tried in court.

The lawyer also observed that John’s family is suffering due to his detention, as he is the sole breadwinner.

He noted that his firm had applied for the administrative bail of the suspect at the time when one Mr. Wilcox from Rivers State was the Director of DSS but lamented that the application was treated with levity and contempt.

According to him, upon the transfer or retirement of Wilcox, the firm again applied for administrative bail on September 9, 2024, but the victim has neither been released nor charged to any court of law for any known offence.

In a series of letters written to the secret police, dated June 13, October 9, and December 27, 2024, obtained by *The Guardian*, the legal practitioner described John as an entertainer who hires musical instruments to perform at occasions, commonly known as a DJ.

The letter read in part: “He was arrested by Mr. Paul Okoroji, Commander of the Ebubeagu security outfit in Orlu L.G.A., on Sunday, the 17th day of March 2024, and was detained for a week before his transfer to Owerri upon an allegation that he was a member of Eastern Security Network (ESN).

“He had no arms on him, nor were any recovered from his person or place of abode. He will not jump bail if granted and also has a person of good standing in society to stand surety for him should you be minded to grant him bail pending the outcome of your final investigation.

“His continuous detention would obviously affect his health as he was not humanely handled by the Ebubeagu Security Outfit.

“Moreover, without prejudice to the reason for his arrest, the circumstances of the aforesaid arrest and detention may be shrouded in suspicion and hearsay. For this reason, we urge you to give him the benefit of the doubt by releasing him to a substantial surety who would produce him to your office whenever he is needed for further questioning and interrogation of the investigation.

“A similar application dated the 13th day of June 2024, a copy of which is hereto annexed and marked as TD, was earlier sent to your office but appears to have been given no attention, for which reason we find ourselves constrained to apply again. In the final analysis, we pray you to presume his innocence at this stage as we rely heavily on your discretionary power for the success of this application.”