The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend the Director-General of the Department of State Services, (DSS), Yusuf Bichi.
Naija News reports that the umbrella body of lawyers was reacting to the drama that took place in the Federal High Court involving lawyers, newsmen and operatives of the DSS.
DSS operatives chased out lawyers from the courtroom and attacked journalists after which they re-arrested activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore.
Recall that the DSS on Thursday night had released Sowore after spending 124 days in detention.
Reacting in a statement on NBA’s Twitter page, the Association accused the DSS of making a Presiding Judge abandon proceedings because of safety concerns.
The NBA described the invasion of the court by the DSS as an exhibition of primitivity, thuggery, insane passion for lawlessness.
According to the body, the incident was a disgraceful and crass violation of the hallowed precincts of the law by the officers of the DSS.
The statement reads: “The Nigerian Bar Association strongly condemns the action of the Department of State Security, which is another in the series of impunity and lawlessness exhibited by the DSS. The invasion of the court by the agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria runs contrary to the avowed assurances of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that he will ensure that the Federal Government and agencies under it obeys court orders. The disrespect of the court by the DSS is legendary and unrivalled.
“Few days ago, the officers of the Nigerian Police Force exhibited similar traits when it also invaded the precincts of the High Court, Effurun to arrest Mr. Ademi-Akpeto, Chairman of Sapele branch of the NBA. Many Nigerians are still in unlawful custody and not charged to court. Nigerians are now under siege by security agents who have no regards for the law and the courts.
“The NBA urges all Nigerians to be alive to their responsibilities as citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and is ready to partner with all Nigerians and civil society organisations to ensure that the rights of Nigerians as guaranteed by Chapter 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended are not trampled upon by any agency of government.”
source https://www.naijanews.com/2019/12/07/sowore-nba-tells-buhari-what-to-do-to-dss-boss/
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