From:Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The Council of Arewa Chiefs, Lagos State has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos and Chairman of the Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Aminu Idris Yaro with his wife by the Department of State Services (DSS)
This was contained in a statement by Jarman of Lagos Alhaji Yerima Shettima and made available to the media in Kaduna.
The statement stated that the Sarkin Hausawa has been held by the DSS incommunicado for the last three days following what initially was a routine invitation which he dutifully honored.
The statement further stated that Council of Arewa Chiefs also understands that the Sarkin Hausawa is being held in connection with the ongoing investigation of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
The Council noted that it is not unaware of the friendship relationship between Sarkin Hausawa and Mr. Godwin Emefiele just the way Emefiele is friends with many other chiefs and dignitaries all over the country and around the globe.
“What is regrettable is however, the unexplained connection of a friend with the ongoing investigation of Mr Emefiele who till this moment, as far as the public is concerned, is only being accused of possession of an unlicenced firearm.
“The Council is concerned that the DSS might typically be used to hunt down respected leaders of the community using terrorism fight as a smoke screen.
“While the Council of Arewa Chiefs does not dispute the prerogative of the DSS and any security service in the country to invite any person it deems useful for any of its investigations, we, however, find the detention of the Sarkin Hausawa incommunicado and beyond the lawfully allowed 24 hours by the DSS, repugnant to the sensibilities of the traditional rulership system, the Arewa community and the Council of Chiefs.
“Traditional rulers will first need to be accorded commensurate respect, their emasculation, maltreatment, and harassment have to be ended and their revered place of respect assured before we can place any hope in them to do anything meaningful in the community.”
The Council also urged the DSS to Grant him immediate access to legal representation, medical attention, and family members.
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