Operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) stormed a State High Court in Ilaro, Ogun State, and detained two defendants, sparking widespread condemnation.
The defendants, Alhaji Isiaka Fatai and Samuel Oyero, were part of a trial in a case numbered HCP/IC/2023 between the State and Awode Oladosu & 13 others, presided over by Justice A.A. Shobayo.
The case arose from allegations of arson reported by Chief Akeem Adigun (also known as Socopao) against Fatai, Oyero, and 12 others, following a crisis in Agosasa community, Ipokia Local Government Area, over an Obaship dispute.
Tension escalated when DSS operatives forcibly removed the suspects from the court premises.
Kehinde Bamiwola, counsel to Alhaji Isiaka, alleged that the operatives employed excessive force, including physical assault.
Principal Registrar of the High Court, Comrade Omololu Olusanya, confirmed the incident, describing it as a blatant disregard for the rule of law.
He disclosed that despite the judge’s directive prohibiting arrests within the court premises, the operatives proceeded with the arrests, even assaulting a court staff member, Mrs. Fadina, in the process.
Olusanya criticized the lack of identification by the operatives and their refusal to comply with the judge’s advice to conduct arrests outside the court premises.
Efforts to reach Peter Afunanya, the DSS spokesman, for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
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