The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to 12 aides of Yoruba nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho, who were been held in detention. Justice Obiora Egwuatu while delivering the ruling on Wednesday said it is clear that no charge has been brought against Sunday Igboho’s aides since their arrest. As such, the court held that detaining them without charging them contravenes the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and their fundamental rights. Pelumi Olajengbesi, the counsel to the 12 aides, had asked the court to admit his clients to bail unconditionally. Eight of the applicants, the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th applicants, were granted bail in the sum of N5million each with surety in like sum resident in Abuja. While the remaining four applicants, the 2nd, 5th, 6th, and 12th applicants, were approved bail in the sum of N10 million each with two sureties in like sum also resident in Abuja. The lawyer to the Department of State Services, I. Awo, told the court that he was not opposed to the bail of eight of the applicants.
However, he strongly opposed the bail of the other four applicants on the ground that the DSS’ investigation has revealed their high involvement in the offense of arms’ stockpiling.
Mr. Awo argued that the four aides should not be granted bail in the interest of justice and national security. Adding that their investigation was currently ongoing and has not been concluded.
Recall that Justice Obiora Egwuatu had ordered the DSS to produce all the Igboho aides to enable the court to inquire into the circumstances surrounding their arrest.
On Monday, when the Igboho aides were brought to court, four out of the 12 were absent.
The 12 detained aides were said to have been arrested in Igboho’s house on July 1 and had approached the court challenging their arrest and continued detention.
