Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has threatened to jail the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, over the agency’s refusal to release detained activists, Omoyele Sowore and his co-accused, Olawale Bakare.
KanyiDaily recalls that on November 6, 2019, the court had ordered the release of the activists after they met their bail conditions.
In a court order dated November 12, the judge said the DSS must release Mr. Sowore as directed by the court or it would be guilty of contempt and liable to be committed to prison.
“Take notice that unless you obey the directions contained in this court order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, made on November 6, 2019 which ordered you to release the defendants/applicants in suit no: FHC /ABJ /CR/ 235/2019 forthwith, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison. A copy of the said order of court earlier served on you is hereby annexed for your on-the-spot reference.
“This court has been informed that even as at today, Tuesday the 12 November 2019 you are yet to comply with the lawful order of the court by refusing to release the defendants/applicants namely Omoyele Stephen Sowore and Olawale Adebayo (Mandate) in your custody.
“You are hereby directed to comply with the court order forthwith or you will be guilty of contempt of court,” the court document reads.
Sowore was arrested at about 11 pm on August 2 by DSS operatives and has since been in detention despite two Federal High Court order to the DSS for his release.
The two accused are facing trial on seven counts of treasonable felony, fraud, cyber-stalking and insulting President Muhammadu Buhari.
