Lawyer Detained For Five Months By DSS Gets N2m Bail

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, granted bail to a lawyer, Emperor Ogbonna, who has been detained by the Department of State Service for five months.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo granted the lawyer bail in a ruling on an application argued on his behalf by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN).

Ozekhome noted that the lawyer had been detained unlawfully by the DSS since March 24, 2020.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria called on the court to grant liberal bail to the defendant on liberal terms and conditions, as the applicant’s fundamental rights had been seriously breached

Mr Isah Abubakar, government lawyer, however, opposed the bail on the grounds that the applicant would escape justice in view of the gravity of his alleged offence he was being detained for.

Justice Taiwo agreed with Ozekhome that the law presumed the applicant innocent until found guilty by a competent court.

The lawyer was granted bail in the sum of N2m with two sureties in like sum.

He however ordered that the applicant be remanded in prison pending the time he would meet the bail conditions.