More than 25 days after Justice Obiora Egwuatu of a Federal High Court in Abuja granted bails to the 12 detained aides of Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, the Department of State Services (DSS) finally released eight of them.
The Adeyemo’s aides have spent about 61 days in the custody of DSS.
The detainees, who were arrested at Sunday lgboho’s (Adeyemo) on July 1, 2021 during a bloody raid by DSS, had met their bail conditions.
They provided 24 sureties and deposited some millions but the DSS lawyer, Mr Idowu Awo, rejected the bails granted four of the detainees, claiming that they were neck deep in the allegations of arms stockpiling and other criminal activities of Igboho.
In spite of the perfection of their bail conditions, Justice Egwuatu had last week signed their Release Order but the DSS failed to release them.
Persecondnews recalls that two associates of Igboho were killed during the raid.
Confirming the release of the eight, their lawyer, Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, asked the DSS to free the remaining four, insisting they had been granted bails by the court.
Those who have regained their freedom are Abideen Shittu, Abdullateef Onaolapo, Ayobami Donald, Olakunle Oluwapelumi, Dikeola Ademola, Bamidele Sunday, Raji Kazeem, and Taiwo Tajudeen.
They all attended a news conference addressed on Monday afternoon by their lawyer, Olajengbesi.
Those still in DSS custody are Tajudeen Irinloye, Uthman Adelabu, Amudat Babatunde, and Jamiu Oyetunji.
Olajengbesi told newsmen that the DSS must account for the two associates of Igboho killed in his house.
DSS lawyer, Awo had filed a remand application for the four detainees, saying their release will jeopardize investigation.
He also asked the Court of Appeal in Abuja to revoke the bails earlier granted them.
Three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Messers Femi Falana, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa and Ifedayo Adedipe had described the DSS refusal to release them as an invitation to anarchy and lawlessness.
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