The Department of State Service (DSS) and its Director General have been dragged before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, for the arrest of the president of Middle Belt Youth Forum, Meliga Godwin.Â
The Quest Times reports that Godwin had on December 19, 2022 addressed a press conference where he condemned the DSS for its attempt to obtain an exparte application to arrest and detain the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, over alleged terrorism charges.
The activist condemned the actions of the DSS and described it as a hatchet job.
He was thereafter arrested by the operatives of the DSS on January 8, 2023.
However, in a motion for the enforcement of his fundamental rights with suit No: FCT/HC/CV/1034/2023, filed by his counsel, Chibuzo Ezike, the applicant is asking the court for his unconditional release by the DSS.
According to one of his counsels, Okere Kingdom who addressed journalists in court, the applicant has been incommunicado since his arrest and detention.
The applicant prayed the court to release him from detention and also make an order directing the DSS and its Director General to pay him the sum of N500m damages and public apology in two national dailies for illegal arrest and detention.
He further prayed the court to declare his arrest and detention from January 8, 2023 till the time of filling the suit as a breach of his fundamental rights, unconstitutional and of no effect.