Walida is in protective custody – DSS
Mr Patrick is an Acting Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS). In this brief interview, he explains why the girl, Walida Abdullahi, is still in DSS custody. Sir, we are in your office today. I have seen the representatives of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the National Youth Council […]
Mr Patrick is an Acting Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS). In this brief interview, he explains why the girl, Walida Abdullahi, is still in DSS custody.
Sir, we are in your office today. I have seen the representatives of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), the AREWA Youth Assembly, (AYA), Walida, and some of your officials. Is this the first time or the second time you are bringing them together?
With you, it is the second time but with them, I think we’ve met four solid times.
I want to know, because this matter has become a big issue, at what point did you get to know that maybe your operative is in custody of Walida?
Information about Walida’s issue with a supposed staff of the Service was obtained from open source. The Service immediately commenced investigation which is part of reason we are here today.
- My second wife never maltreated Walida—Father
- Walida’s uncle, Badamasi, complicated the matter – Youth council
So where is Ifeanyi now?
Ifeanyi is undergoing internal disciplinary procedure, which is almost concluded with today’s meeting since the Service wanted every strategy we are using for the investigation to run side by side such that we’ll be able to arrive at a balanced judgment.
There is this allegation out there that you are trying to protect one of your own, and that is why the case is dragging?
There is no such thing in the DSS as protecting any staff who is suspected of having gone foul of the law. But before any sanctions, our internal investigation has to be done. If you recall, the Service has recently dismissed and issued disclaimers on a few of its staff who had defaulted either the Service rules or committed offenses. So, of course, a committee was set up at the instance of the State Service, and they are all here. But the parents are not here.
They told you why they were not here?
For me, I’m surprised that they are not here today, because there’s no decision about the proceedings or the procedures to be adopted in this matter that was taken independently. All actions were jointly agreed upon before being taken.
In fact, the decision that led to today’s meeting was based on their observation and a request for medical evaluation of Walida, because they were amazed at the type of information she released to those that were present during our last meeting. So, they questioned her mental stability and requested for a medical examination for Walida. And they were duly informed.
And when I called to remind them about today’s meeting, they told me that they are staying away since they did not witness the medical evaluation. But I reminded them that they were duly informed. And why is it that they did not even inform me that they were not going to be in this meeting today that was jointly scheduled. They said, as far as they are concerned, that they have nothing to do with the outcome of the medical evaluation. I remember that they said, they questioned our resort to the use of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) instead of National Hospital that we earlier agreed. I told them that that decision was made to ensure total neutrality and in the best interest of everybody. And that decision was communicated to them. And they never objected to it.
Is it the National body of Medical Association that took part in this or the Abuja chapter of the NMA?
Yes. National Body
So, why are you keeping Walida when the parents want her handed over to them? This is the question Nigerians are also asking.
Walida has expressed some fears about her safety in the course of this investigation. When our investigation showed that contrary to the allegation that she was a minor, she is indeed an adult, that kind of raised suspicion as to her father’s sincerity. She expressed fears that she would be harmed if forced to go with her family and as a security organisation, our core value is to protect life and property. Therefore, once somebody expresses fear about their safety, it becomes incumbent on the Service to protect that person.
So, is she in protective custody?
Sure, sure, because of her concerns about her safety.
But for how long will she be here?
That will be dependent on the outcome of the investigation.
We learnt that the parents have headed to court. Will you join them in court?
Well, naturally, the Service always believes in an amicable resolution in matters like this. Because we believe that an alternative dispute resolution, which leaves every party to the conflict satisfied, will always be the best. Initially, we were told that on this matter, the family had already gone to court in Jigawa. And I know we have applied for vacation of the order.
Okay, the court that gave the order that you should release her?
Yes. We have applied and I learned that the court met today (Thursday, February 19) and a date has been fixed for ruling on the order.
Why did you invite FIDA, National Youth Council, and Arewa Youth National Assembly, among others?
To ensure transparency because the hallmark of the Service’ operations is always to be fair to all concerned, in the interest of humanity.
What will happen to Ifeanyi?
Ifeanyi will face appropriate disciplinary measures as prescribed by law if he is found guilty and the outcome will be communicated to all parties concerned and the public.
What are your words to Nigerians and many other people around the world who are agitated about the matter because they believe the case of Walida is like the case of Ese Oruru?
I want to advise Nigerians to always have confidence in the system and never to jump to hasty conclusions, until due processes are applied in order to find out the truth of the matter.