Court summons DSS, AGF over Sowore’s detention

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja, has summoned the Director-General of the Department of State Services, (DSS) Yusuf Bichi and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over Sowere’s continues detention.
The court, had in an ex parte order, ruled that the DSS and AGF should appear before it to explain why the convener of #RevolutionNow protest is still being detained after it was granted bail by the court.
Sowore and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare, were arraigned on charges boardering on treasonable felony, before Justice Ojukwu.
The publisher of Sahara Reporters, had through his counsel, Marshal Abubakar, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/407/2018, prayed the court to order the DSS boss and the AGF to produce Sowore in court “for an unconditional release” from custody, based on the bail already granted him by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu.
In his ruling, yesterday,Justice Ekwo said he needed to hear from the two defendants before taking a decision.
Consequently, he directed the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court to serve hearing notices on the two defendants.
He, therefore, adjourned till December, 23 for the defendant to appear before him.
Sowore was rearrested violently by the operatives of the DSS at the Federal High Court in Abuja on December 6, barely 24 hours after he was released from custody that lasted over four months.
He has since been held in custody with no fresh charges instituted against him.
His lead counsel, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), had earlier in a statement on Tuesday, urged the AGF, who said he had taken over the prosecution of the defendants from the DSS, to direct the agency to immediately to release the Sahara Reporters publisher from “illegal” detention.
Falana said there was no court’s detention order or an arrest warrant backing the rearrest and continued detention of his client.