DSS Releases Senator Abaribe after 5 Days in Detention

DSS Releases Senator Abaribe after 5 Days in Detention

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe after five days in detention.

This was confirmed in a statement by his spokesman, Uche Awom, who said Abaribe was released to his lawyer, Chukwuma Machukwu-Ume (SAN) at 6.32pm on Tuesday on administrative bail.

“Speaking at the premises of the DSS facility in Abuja the lawyer thanked Nigerians for standing up against the wrongs done to Nigerian democracy with the arrest of Senator Abaribe. 

“The collective calls and demand for his release have shown the great spirit of Nigerians for justice,” the statement said.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier yesterday declined an application by Senator Abaribe to be released by the DSS.

In her ruling, Justice Binta Nyako turned down an oral application by counsel to Abaribe, Machukwu-Ume (SAN) seeking to issue an order for his client’s release, on the grounds that the matter was not properly brought before the court.

Abaribe is one of the three sureties for Nnamdi Kanu, was arrested by operatives of the DSS on what the lawyer said were allegations of gun running and sponsoring the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB.

Kanu, whom he stood for, has not been seen following a military operation near his residence in Afara-Ukwu, Umuahia, Abia State in September, 2017.