Commercial Driver Floors SSS In Court, Awarded N5m For Detention Without Trial Since 2023

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the State Security Service (SSS) to immediately release an Abuja-based commercial driver, Mr Sanusi Shuaib, from its custody.

Shuaib was detained without trial since March 2023.

The driver’s lawyer, Bala Dakum, sued the SSS for violating his client’s fundamental rights relating to freedom of movement and personal liberty.

He said his client was arrested and detained over alleged possession of firearms and terrorism offences but was kept in custody without arraignment or trial for close to a year.

The applicant also asked the court to approve his client’s release and award N50 million as compensation.

However, the SSS’ legal team maintained that the actions of the Secret Service were in order.

Passing her verdict on Thursday, Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon criticised the SSS for flouting Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution which limits detention of a Nigerian to a maximum of 48 hours except at the instance of a court order.

The judge observed that the only court order the SSS obtained to detain the driver was on March 29, 2023 and it lasted for 20 days.

Subsequently, Justice Olajuwon agreed with the applicant that his fundamental rights had been breached by the secret police.

The court subsequently ordered his immediate release while imposing a fine of 5 million naira against the SSS.