The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for the immediate suspension of the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi.
The NBA made this call over the disruption of the proceedings presided over by Justice Ifeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja by DSS operatives in a bid to rearrest Omoyele Sowore, the convener of ‘Revolution Now’ movement.
In a statement issued on its behalf by its National Publicity Secretary, Kunle Edun, on Friday, December 6, 2019, NBA described the incident as “the disgraceful and crass violation of the hallowed precincts of the law by the officers of the DSS”.
NBA said the invasion of the court by the agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria runs contrary to the avowed assurances of President Muhammadu Buhari that he will ensure that the Federal Government and agencies under him, obey court orders.
The NBA, therefore, demands as follows:
1. That the Federal Government of Nigeria and the National Assembly immediately investigate the shameful conduct by the DSS and ensure that all persons found culpable are duly punished in accordance with the law.
2. The immediate suspension of the Director General of the Department of State Security from office. We make this demand bearing in mind the fact that the DSS under his leadership has established itself as a brutish and irresponsible agency that derives immense pleasure from violating the fundamental rights of Nigerians and disrespecting court orders.
3. That the National Assembly should review the laws setting up the DSS and indeed all security agencies in Nigeria with a view to repositioning them to be more responsible and responsive to the public.
4. That the Attorney General of the Federation, being the Chief Law officer of the Federation takes over all the political cases or cases involving politically exposed persons presently handled by the DSS.
The above demands of the NBA is without prejudice to the consultations presently going on amongst critical stakeholders in the legal profession and the judiciary on how best to ensure that this sad incident does not re-occur.
The NBA also urged 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.
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