”Sting Operation”: Justice Ademola seeks NJC approval to sue DSS
One of the Federal High Court Judges, arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, last weekend, Adeniyi Ademola, has threatened to sue the secret police for violating his rights. “My Lord, with this infringement of my fundamental right, I seek for the leave to commence an action against the Department of State […]
One of the Federal High Court Judges, arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, last weekend, Adeniyi Ademola, has threatened to sue the secret police for violating his rights.
“My Lord, with this infringement of my fundamental right, I seek for the leave to commence an action against the Department of State Services to enforce my right that was breached,” said Justice Ademola, in his letter dated October 11, 2016 and addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, and Chairman of the National Judicial Council, NJC.
He said the immediate reason for his arrest was his decision to grant bail to former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and pro-Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
“The search of my residence was based on these allegations: “(i) Petition of Hon. Jenkins Duvie dated 4th of April 2016 to the National Judicial Council (NJC); (ii) Granting bail to Col. Sambo Dasuki and the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu. (iii) Using my office to secure my wife’s appointment as the Head of Civil Service Lagos State through Senator Bola Tinubu,” he said.
Ademola provided details of how he was frightened after operatives arrived at his home in the middle of the night.
An extract from the letter read, “They asked me to open the door and I responded, asking them, ‘Who are you?’ They answered ‘We are officers of the Department of State Services and we are here with a search warrant to search your house.’
“I told them to allow me to call my counsel. At this point, they had already began kicking at my door and after about three kicks, I got up and opened my bedroom door and let them in.
“To my surprise, I saw about 45 masked officers of the DSS, all heavily armed pointing their guns at me. They flashed a document purported to be a search warrant and ordered me to sign on a document claiming that they had already conducted a search downstairs.
Mr. Ademola said operatives later presented him with a list of items that were found in his home which could be used as exhibits, but he initially declined to sign the paper.
“They threatened me if I did not sign it they would not leave me alone and whatever they did to me at that point would be recorded that I will not be alive to tell the story of what transpired between me and them that night.
“For fear and interest of my life, and unknown persons with masks on their faces, I collected the written items and signed the document”
“They also added that I was totally under their custody as I have always made an order against them (the DSS).
“I complied and upon signing the document, they told me that I was under arrest and ordered me with guns still pointed at me to move outside. As I was going, they told me they were taking me to their office without showing any warrant of arrest,” the letter read.
“I obeyed them and at about six o’clock in the morning, I was whisked away from my residence to the DSS office.
“From the time of my arrival at the DSS office, at about 6:45am on October 8, I was not told what my crime was for over 24 hours till the evening of October 9.
“A DSS official finally informed me that the search and my arrest were based on these three allegations: the petition of Hon. Jenkins Duvie dated April 4, 2016 to the National Judicial Council and granting bail to Col. Sambo Dasuki and the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu.”