We’ll release 8 out of Igboho’s 12 detained associates, DSS tells court

The Department of State Services, DSS, today, gave reasons before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, why four out of the 12 persons it arrested at the residence of Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, should not be released from detention.

The security agency, through its lawyer, Mr. I. Awo, told the court that its investigations revealed that the four detained associates of Igboho- Amudat Habitat Babatunde, Abideen Shittu, Jamiu Noah Oyetunji and Bamidele Sunday- weres deeply involved in the stock piling of arms.

The DSS told the court that it believes that the four Applicants would escape from the country like Igboho, once released from detention and would not make themselves available for further investigation or trial.

It told the court that principal of the four Applicants, Igboho, is currently standing criminal trial in Benin Republic, after he was declared wanted in Nigeria.

“Rather than to turn himself in, he decided to flee this country. There is no guarantee that these four applicants will not follow same if released on bail.

“There are credible information on how friends, family and associates of these same four Applicants are making contacts with potential witnesses identified by the DSS.

“Some have been pressurized not to turn up in an event that they will be tried.

“These 4 Applicants will jeopardize ongoing investigation if realeased.

“Finally, it is our submission that once investigation is concluded, the Respondents will not hesitate to charge them to court.

“At that point, we may conceed to an accelerated trial. We do not want to take for granted the safety of our potential witnesses.

“We therefore ask this court to deny these four Applicants bail, in order not frustrate this process”, counsel to the DSS added.

It prayed the court for leave to further detain the four Applicants for another 14 days to enable it to conclude its investigations.