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Tag: DSS

  • Army, DSS arrest two thugs in Anambra

    The Nigerian Army in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) said suspected thugs have been arrested and some arms, ammunition and other items recovered in Anambra.

    The Deputy Director Public Relations, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Col. Sagir Musa, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Onitsha.

    “Following intelligence report, operatives of the DSS, Anambra Command and a patrol team from 302 General Support Regiment Onitsha, successfully carried out a Cordon and Search Operation on three identified locations,” he said.

    “The locations are in Amansi – Umuru, Orukabia and Graceland Housing Estate, Nteje general area, Oyi local government area of Anambra.

    “The operation was conducted in the early hours of Sunday April 23, 2017 at about 06:00 a.m.

    “In the three areas that were searched, specifically, in building number 8, Chukwunonso Ndulue Street in Graceland Housing Estate, Nsugbe near Onitsha, two suspects were arrested.”

    Musa said items such as seven pump action guns, 44 Cartridges, one hunter knife and two cutlasses were recovered from the suspects.

    According to him, the three mentioned communities have been engaged in hostile land and chieftaincy dispute which led to the gruesome murder of three civilians allegedly by suspected thugs.

    Musa said the areas had been under security surveillance for sometime now, adding that was the basis for the Cordon and Search operation in the localities.

    He said the suspects and exhibits would be handed over to the police for further investigation.

    NAN

     

     

  • IPOB alleges kidnapping of members by DSS

    IPOB alleges kidnapping of members by DSS

    The Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) has raised an alarm over the incessant kidnappings of their members across the Eastern part of the country.

    The alarm was raised by the Emma Powerful, the media and publicity secretary of the group who said the group’s newly appointed Africa Representative and member of the Directorate of State (DOS) Mr George Onyeibe from Agbor Delta State has been kidnapped from his house by men suspected to be DSS men.

    Powerful alleged that the suspected DSS men ransacked his house, molested his wife and rough-handled his children during the kidnap according to a neighbour who observed the incident.

    The statement reads, “It is deeply worrying that this APC Government, through her security agencies especially the DSS, have renewed their clampdown on innocent family members of IPOB just because we are exercising our God given right to self determination”.

    “It is very pathetic that the Nigeria Government and her security agencies are completely ignorant or failed to read the declaration made by Federal High court Abuja on the 6th of March 2017 concerning the legality of IPOB.

    “The newly appointed Africa representative Mr. George Onyeibe’s whereabout is now unknown to his people and IPOB members. For the avoidance of doubt, all his electronic gadgets and properties were either seized or destroyed by the DSS operatives who lunched the attack on him around 2am on the morning of 22 April 2017 in his house in Obiakpor Rivers State.

    “Our intelligence unit have also uncovered meetings held in Abuja by the DSS where they perfected plans to secretly eliminate any IPOB member they lay their hands on.

    “We are also aware that our members have been executed in cold blood by this murderous and tyrannical Government of APC led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari through his DSS. They have cleverly devised s system of killing any IPOB member arrested on the way to before they reach their dungeon.

    “We are calling on the community civilised nations within the UN, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the US Government, European Union, African Union, men and women of good conscience around the world.

    “Russia Government and other relevant Human Rights Organizations around the globe to prevail upon the Nigerian Government and her security agencies especially the DSS to release our African Representative George Onyeibe and others, or charge them to court if they are still alive,” Powerful stated.

  • Intrigues as DSS raids PenCom office

    Intrigues as DSS raids PenCom office

    •Staff grumble over removal of Anohu-Amazu
    •Ordered to report at security agency tomorrow
    •We’re being pro-active, says DSS officials

    Some staff of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), yesterday alleged the invasion of the Abuja headquarters of the agency by personnel of the Department of State Service (DSS).

    They accused the agency of laying siege to the head office moment after the Director General Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu and her commissioners were disengaged.

    The DSS operatives were said to have ordered staff of the commission out of the premises and also frisked them on their way out to ensure that they did not leave with any official document.

    The aim, according to them, was to force the exit of Mrs Anohu-Amazu  who was dropped as director general on April 13 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Her replacement, Alhaji Aliyu Abdulrahman Dikko, is waiting to assume duties alongside Funso Doherty, the new Chairman, and the quartet of Akin Akinwale, Abubakar Zaki Magawata, Ben Oviosun and Nyerere Ayim, Executive Commissioners subject to confirmation by the Senate.

    The DSS, however, denied raiding or invading the complex.

    It said it only deployed its personnel there as a proactive measure following allegations that documents were either bring tampered with or backdated.

    It was learnt that the operatives will remain in PENCOM till the assumption of office by the new DG.

    Mrs. Anohu- Amazu’s sympathizers in Pen-Com are claiming that her removal smacks of arbitrariness, and negates the spirit of due process in the Pension Reforms Act.

    A powerful cabal in the presidency, according to them, is actively at work to effect arbitrary changes in a manner that is grossly contrary the spirit and letters of Part 5, section 21(1) and (2) of the Pension Reform Act, 2014, which specifies that a DG ought to have been formally written a letter by authorities.

    They insist that the former DG has performed well in office especially with regard to what they call her zero tolerance for corruption, disregard for vested interests’ manipulative efforts and an ‘unprecedented boost in staff morale, welfare and human capital development’.

    However, security sources said the DSS personnel were deployed only yesterday following intelligence alert that documents were either being tampered with or backdated.

    It was learnt that the operatives will remain in PENCOM until the assumption of duty by the new DG.

    Sources also said there has been tension in PENCOM since Anohu-Amazu’s disengagement.

    It was gathered that the tension led to the DSS intervention yesterday.

    A reliable source in DSS said: “We did not conduct any raid on PENCOM office.

    “What we did was to put a standby team at the office to prevent anybody from tampering or altering any document unlawfully or without due process.

    “We had intelligence that some documents were being tampered with, some documents were being signed and back dated at PENCOM following the announcement of a new management of the commission.

    “We are only being pro-active by ordering all officials there to stop forthwith any action on official documents pending when the new management will assume duty.”

    In a telephone chat with our correspondent last night, Mr. Emeka Onuora, Head, Corporate Communications Department, PenCom, said he was not aware of any invasion of the Commission’s headquarters.

    Asked to confirm if the PenCom boss was still functioning as the head of the Commission despite her removal, he said: “I’m totally bereft of any idea as to whether Madam is still in charge.

    “All I can say is that I did not see her in the office on Friday. I think the DSS should be in a better position to tell us what they know.”

  • Tor Tiv sends fact-finding team to DSS over Suswam

    Tor Tiv sends fact-finding team to DSS over Suswam

    •Pleads for bail for ex-Benue governor

    The prolonged detention of the immediate past governor of Benue State, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, has attracted the sympathy of the Tiv Traditional Council and the paramount ruler, Professor James Ayatse.

    Tor Tiv V Ayatse has consequently  dispatched   a fact-finding delegation to the Department of State Security Service (DSS) to explore the possibility of arranging  bail for the politician.

    The ex-governor is Tiv.

    But the deal could not sail through owning to the absence of the DSS Director-General, Mr. Lawal Daura, from office.

    The delegation, led by Tor Jechira, Chief Clement Uganden(a First Class Chief  ),only went as far as greeting Suswam.

    The Nation gathered that the brief access granted the chiefs to Suswam  was to prove that he is not  being maltreated as alleged in some quarters.

    Other members of the delegation were   Ter Ukum, Chief Teran Kwaghbo;  Ter Logo, Chief Jimmy Meeme; and Ter Katsina/Ala, Chief Fezanga Wombo.

    They were  received by the Director of Operations of the DSS in the absence of the DG.

    There were indications that the DSS might give the Tiv chiefs another date to have one-on-one interaction with the DG.

    ”The chiefs were allowed access to Suswam who has been in detention since February 25. He was brought out of his detention facility to greet the chiefs to prove that he was not hurt by DSS,” a top source said.

    “The delegation was denied any interaction with the ex-governor.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “The essence of the visit was to see our son as well as the DG of DSS to find out what is actually the case against Suswam.

    “After the fact check, we will report back to the Tor Tiv, Professor Ayatse, as directed by the Tiv Traditional Council (TTC).

    “We also went to plead with the security agency to consider the possibility of granting Suswam bail because his detention is  dividing the Tiv nation and creating political tension in Benue State.

    “Unfortunately, the Director of Operations could not do much. We will revisit the DSS soon on these demands.”

    This is the second visit by  Benue leaders to  Suswam in custody.

    On the first delegation  were a former Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro; ex-Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Tsav; a former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Mzenda Iho; ex-PDP chairman in Benue State, Emmanuel Agbo;  and the current party chairman, John Mgbede .

    Suswam is being probed in connection with seven petitions, including the alleged link with a militia leader, Terwaze Akwazza (a.k.a Gana) who is holding  three local governments hostage  in Benue State.

    The local government areas are Logo, Katsina-Ala and Ukum

    Suswam has not been able to give DSS ‘credible clues’ which could lead to the arrest of  Akwazza.

    Two of the petitions border on the over 240-page report of Justice Elizabeth Kpojime Commission of Inquiry  into state finances  from 2007 to 2015 and alleged misuse of a N4.5billion sourced from capital market.

    The state government had referred the report of the commission of inquiry against Suswam and 51 others to the DSS and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.

    The over 240-page report alleged that Suswam and many of his appointees including civil servants mismanaged the resources of the state.

    Those blamed include Hon Solomon Wombo, Omodachi Oklobia, Emmanuel Atini, Asen Sambe, Isaiah Ipevnor, Hon Paul Biam, Aza Biam, Maria Iyortyom, Michael Oko Agbam, Miss Ajuma Olokpo and Abel Musa of (GTbank staff).

    Others are Mohammed Kabir Rago, Hon. Terna Kester Ikyenge, Hon Yerfa Atoza Hindan, Terna Iyorkyaan, San Carlos Benue Farms/Barr Tyokegh, Christian Aba (aka Mad Lion), Sunday D. Umoru, Ruth Ijir, Kpaapka, Andrew Ayabam, among many others.

    Some of the corporate bodies fingered in the alleged looting of the state are: Ashitech and Ashi Foods, Carlos Benue Farms, SCAMPT Nigeria Ltd, among others.

    The panel recommended that 52 individuals and 10 corporate bodies should refund over N107 billion to the coffers of the state government.

    It also recommended deeper investigations and possible refund of over N44 billion from transactions they found not in compliance with the laid down financial guidelines.

    The panel said  N1.21 trillion accrued to the state from about 27 identified sources out of which N802 billion was appropriated while N219 billion was expended but not appropriated.

    The former governor, his  Commissioner of Finance, Omadachi Oklobia, former Special Adviser on Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Solomon Wombo, and two former permanent secretaries, Emmanuel Atini and Asen Sambe, Messrs Isaiah Ipevnor, a former accountant of the Bureau are alleged to have diverted local government funds amounting to N51, 559,859,968.00 into personal use.

    Suswam is already facing trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged  N3.1bn fraud relating to the same issue raised by the Justice Kpojime led probe panel.

  • •‘N9.7b’: Court orders DSS to produce Suswam

    •‘N9.7b’: Court orders DSS to produce Suswam

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja has ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) Director-General, Lawal Daura, to produce former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam on May 11.
    The order by the judge was necessitated by the failure of the DSS, in whose custody Suswam was kept, to bring him yesterday for arraignment on a fresh 32-count charge bought against him and two others by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
    Suswam, former Finance Commissioner Omodachi Okolobia and Benue State Government House Administration’s Accountant, Janet Aluga were named in the fresh charge filed on March 27.
    They are accused, among others, of diverting N9.79 billion, part of which was meant for Police Reform Programme and Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).
    Of the three defendants, only Suswam was absent in court when the case was called yesterday.
    And, upon enquiry by the judge, the lead prosecuting lawyer, Aliyu Akilu, told said Suswam was being detained by the DSS, but allegedly chose not to attend court.
    Akilu said: “The 1st defendant is on administrative bail granted him by the police. But he is currently in the custody of the DSS. We made effort to serve him with the charge there, but he refused. We decided to serve his lawyer, who is in court today.
    “He (Suswam) is aware of today’s proceedings. We wrote him, but he refused to attend court. The provision of Section 87 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), the court can compel his presence. We asked the court to exercise that power,” Akilu said.
    Akin Adedeji, who said he appeared for Suswam in protest, faulted the prosecution’s decision to serve the charge on his office as against the requirement that a defendant must be served in criminal cases personally.
    Adedeji said: “By 2pm yesterday, two officers of the Nigerian Police walked into our office, seeking to serve a charge on us, in relation to this case. We accepted the charge out of respect for this court.
    “That we are representing the 1st defendant in another case did not mean he will engage us to represent him in this. Section 36(c) of the Constitution says, upon service of a charge on a defendant, he has a right to brief any legal practitioner of his choice. The 1st defendant has been in the custody of the DSS since February 25,” Adedeji said.
    Lawyer to Oklobia and Aluga, David Iorhemba, noted that since the case was a joint trial, it was impossible for the court to conduct proceedings in the absence of the 1st defendant. He sought an adjournment.
    Justice Kolawole said since Suswam was being held by the DSS, the prosecution should serve a copy of the charge on the Legal Department of the DSS for delivery to the 1st defendant.
    The judge directed the Director General of the DSS to ensure that the ex-governor is brought to court on the next adjourned date (May 11) to enable him answer to the charge pending against him, if he is not released before then.
    A similar scenario played out on March 28, when DSS’s failure to produce Suswam stalled proceedings in another case involving him and Oklobia before Justice Ahmed Mohammed (also of the Federal High Court, Abuja).
    Suswam and Oklobia are, in the case, being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for allegedly diverting N3.1billion belonging to Benue State Government.
    The DSS’ refusal to produce Suswam forced Justice Mohammed to adjourn the case to May 9.

  • Court orders DSS to produce Suswam for arraignment

    Court orders DSS to produce Suswam for arraignment

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday ordered the Department of State Service (DSS) to produce former Benue Governor, Gabriel Suswam in court on May 11 for his arraignment.

    The Federal Government had accused Suswam and two others of diverting N9.7 billion being part of funds from the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme.

    The fund was allegedly diverted between 2012 and 2015 while Suswam was the governor of the state.

    The other defendants facing the 32-count charge are the former Commissioner of Finance, Mr Omadachi Oklobia and former Accountant, Benue State Government House, Mrs Janet Aluga.

    The arraignment was, however, stalled following Suswam’s absence in court.

    Suswam and Oklobia are also standing trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on different matter bordering on embezzlement of state funds.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Suswam is currently in the custody of the DSS over another matter bordering on an allegation of illegal arms possession.

    Mr Aminu Alilu, the prosecuting counsel, told the court that Suswam could not be served with the charge because he (Suswam) was being held by the DSS.

    “Efforts to serve him in accordance with Section 2 (3) of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act failed, therefore we served his counsel in compliance with Section 379 (3) of the ACJA, instead,” he said

    Alilu further said the prosecution also made futile attempt to serve the ex-governor through the DSS.

    “We have a letter to that effect and the acknowledged copy by the office of the DSS,’’ he said.

    Mr Adedayo Adedeji, counsel to Suswam on other matters, said the prosecution misled the court to submit that Suswan refused to be served.

    “Tuesday at about 3: p.m. two officers from the police walked into our office, seeking to serve Suswam, but because of respect for this court, we received it.

    “Our objection is that being an originating summons, the first defendant ought to have been served personally.

    “The fact that we are representing him in another matter does not mean that we must represent him in all of his cases. We were never briefed by Suswam to represent him in this case.

    “It cannot now be correct to say that Suswan refused to be served, we submit that in the absence of the first defendant, this matter cannot go on,” he said.

    The judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, therefore, instructed the DSS to ensure Suswam was present in court in the next adjourned date.

    The judge ordered that Oklobia and Aluga should still enjoy their administrative bail

    Justice Kolawole subsequently adjourned the matter till May 11 for the arraignment of the defendants.

  • Osinbajo, Malami, Magu, DSS move to save anti-graft war

    Osinbajo, Malami, Magu, DSS move to save anti-graft war

    • FG seeks water-tight prosecution of corrupt elements
    • Fresh prosecution strategy adopted

    The Federal Government has gone back to the drawing board to re-strategize on its prosecution of corruption-related cases.

    This followed its recent losses, one after the other, of four high profile corruption-related cases in court.

    First was the unfreezing, on the order of a Federal High Court, Lagos, of the account of Lagos lawyer Mike Ozekhome (SAN),  which is said to hold a sum of N75million professional fee paid to him by Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had alleged that the money was proceeds of corruption.

    Next was the discharge and acquittal of Justice Adeniyi Ademola and his wife of charges of corruption and possession of firearms filed against them.

    The initial forfeiture of a sum of $5m found in an account of former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan was similarly reversed on the order of another court, while the Minister of Niger Delta in the Jonathan administration, Elder Godsday Orubebe was also discharged and acquitted after Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the federation, told the   Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that the case filed against the former minister did not exist.

    The ICPC had accused him of diverting N1.97 billion meant for the compensation of owners of property on the Eket Urban section of the East-West road in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

    It was gathered that government was shocked by the development which it perceived as a terrible blow to its anti-corruption crusade.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the weekend met with the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami and heads of other prosecuting agencies on the situation.

    These are the Director-General of the Department of State Security Service (DSS), Mr. Lawan Daura, Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Mr. Sam Saba.

    Although the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Ekpo Nta was away on official assignment, the agency was represented.

    Osinbajo directed the agencies to henceforth ensure a water-tight prosecution of corruption suspects.

    He also asked the heads of the agencies to cooperate with the bench in handling all such matters.

    Government, sources said, was disturbed that vital cases were lost on technical grounds to some suspects.

    A highly-placed source said: “Losing four or five high profile cases in quick succession was seen as a setback for the anti-graft war.

    “As a Professor of Law of Evidence, Osinbajo had a review session with all the heads of prosecuting agencies on what technically went wrong on some of these cases.

    “Although the government has filed appeal on the rulings of the affected courts, the VP stepped in to arrest the slide.

    “The heads of the agencies have been directed to ensure diligent investigation, water-tight prosecution and place sufficient evidence before the court.

    “All constraints affecting the legal team will be addressed accordingly.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The VP asked the agencies to collaborate among themselves instead of petty rivalry.

    “He also told them to cooperate with the bench on all matters before the court.”

    A top source said: “The presidency will now take more than a passing interest in all anti-graft cases. There will be effective monitoring and constant review.

    “Save the case of former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Godsday Orubebe, the government will file appeal against most of the rulings of the court on the lost cases.”

  • Security votes: DSS quizzes Suswam’s AG, two ex-perm secs

    Security votes: DSS quizzes Suswam’s AG, two ex-perm secs

    •Ex-gov is being persecuted, says associate

    As part of the ongoing probe of ex-Governor Gabriel Suswam, the Department of State Security Service (DSS) yesterday called in a former Accountant-General of Benue State, Joseph Kpaakpa for interrogation in continuation of its investigation of former governor Gabriel Suswam.

    Also invited for interrogation were  two  former Permanent Secretaries, Terna Iorkaan and Hinga Biem; former Accountant in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. T. Agbam; and a serving member of the Benue  State House of Assembly,  Paul Biam.

    They were quizzed on how security votes were disbursed by the ex-governor.

    They were also grilled on the purchase of vehicles for Governor-elect, the Deputy Governor-elect and their wives; funds paid to political office holders for election monitoring; and funds allocated for House of Assembly retreat, according to a reliable source.

    Suswam’s investigation is also to see if he has any link with wanted militia leader in the state, Terwaze Akwazza (a.k.a Gana) who is holding three local governments captive in Benue.

    The local government areas are Logo, Katsina-Ala and Ukum.

    All attempts to locate the militia leader have failed.

    But security agencies are probing clues that Akwazza might have been heavily funded by some politicians in order to acquire sophisticated arms.

    The embattled governor has however denied any link with the militia leader.

    A source said: “We invited five top people from Benue State for interaction on the management of security funds during Suswam’s tenure and other curious expenses.

    “This is part of the ongoing comprehensive probe of the wanted militia leader and his boys who have been terrorizing Benue State. We are determined to crack the militia.

    “Our team will get to the sources of huge funds at the disposal of the militia leader and his ragtag boys.

    “They have made useful statements to our team. They might face charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of funds, fraud and laundering of state funds.”

    Suswam, who remains in custody, is protesting the invitation of the men.

    One of his associates yesterday branded the treatment of the former governor as persecution. He faulted the new dimension to the probe.  The associate who does not want to be named, said: “We condemn in strong terms the continuous persecution of the ex-governor because today (yesterday) the DSS invited his former Accountant-General on the same petition that he was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Enugu and was also invited by the police.

    “It seems the DSS is now doing the work of EFCC. What is the business of DSS with financial crime if it is not persecution?”

  • DSS arrests, releases popular columnist, Okey Ndibe

    fficials of the Department of State Services (DSS) picked up, questioned and later released US-based author and columnist, Professor Okey Ndibe, on his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos State on yesterday. Ndibe was questioned at the office of the agency in Lagos, The Nation learnt.

    Reports say, among other things, the author was questioned about the presence of his name on the agency’s watch-list. It was gathered that his arrest was based on the watch-list and he was advised to go to Abuja to get his name removed to forestall his being seized again in future for the same reason.

    But Ndibe who has lived in the United States since he left Nigeria in1998, according to a report by an online medium, declined the suggestion. “I told the SSS that it’s a shame a country that rolls out the red carpet for criminals would harass a writer who wages war on corruption and the corrupt,” the author said.

    The columnist, who had taught in several institutions abroad, had been arrested by the secret police on a number of occasions in the past. Once, his passport was seized and was only released after a public outcry led by civil society organizations across the country. Ndibe is an unrelenting critic of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

    The U.S based author was arrested, detained and questioned for several hours in January 2011, at the same airport by the DSS, and his American and Nigerian passports confiscated for two days. And in spite of widespread demand for an explanation for his arrest, the security agency never offered any reason till date.

     

  • Detained Suswam seeks ‘unconditional’ release from DSS custody

    Detained Suswam seeks ‘unconditional’ release from DSS custody

    Former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, who is currently held in the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS) on Tuesday asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to order his unconditional release from detention.

    The ex-governor’s request is contained in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed before the court on Tuesday.

    In the suit, Suswam is seeking N10 billion compensation for unlawful incarceration and violation of his rights.

    The suit filed by his lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), has the DSS, its Director-General, Lawal Daura, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) as respondents.

    Suswam, against who the Federal Government has filed a fresh 32-count charge, is asking the court to declare his detention since February 25, 2017, without trial, as a violation of his fundamental rights to personal liberty, freedom of movement and dignity of human person.

    He asked the court to order his release pending the commencement and determination of his trial, if any charge is ever filed against him on the basis of his ongoing detention.

    He sought another order directing the respondents to tender public apology to him in seven national dailies of very wide circulation for the “illegal arrest and detention.”

    Suswam also asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents particularly the DSS from torturing him and if proven that he had been tortured, the court should “nullify any statements, documents or other materials that may have been extracted or obtained” from him under “such unwholesome and constitutionally prohibited circumstances.”