The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has asked the federal government to immediately suspended Yusuf Bichi, director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The call follows the manner in which Omoyele Sowore, convener of the RevolutionNow Movement was rearrested at the premises of the federal high court in Abuja on Friday.
DSS operatives had stormed the court to rearrest the activist less than 24 hours after he was released from a detention that lasted 124 days.
In a statement, Kunle Edun, national publicity secretary of the association, said the DSS has become irresponsible under Bichi.
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“The NBA finds it disgraceful that this ‘court riot’ occasioned by the high handedness and insensitivity of the security operatives interrupted judicial proceedings and made the Presiding Judge to abandon judicial proceedings because of safety concerns,” the statement read.
“The Nigerian Bar Association strongly condemns the action of the Department of State Security, which is another in the series of impunity and lawlessness exhibited by the DSS. The invasion of the court by the agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria runs contrary to the avowed assurances of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that he will ensure that the Federal Government and agencies under it obey court orders.
“The NBA urges 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. The NBA therefore, demands as follows:
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“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.”
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The NBA added that Nigerians are now under siege by security agents who have no regard for the law and the courts.
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