The Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday said it is yet to be informed of the court judgment directing it to pay N20 billion to the Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho.
Justice Ladiran Akintola of Oyo State High Court had on Friday declared the DSS raid on the Soka, Ibadan, Oyo State residence of Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho as illegal.
The court also ordered DSS to pay N20 billion to Igboho as exemplary and aggravated damages.
Akintola described DSS’ action as “arbitrary aggression and prejudices” against Igboho.
During the raid conducted by the DSS at about 1:30 am on July 1, 2021, Igboho managed to escape but 12 of his aides were arrested while some were killed.
Igboho thereafter sued the Federal Government, demanding damages, specifically asking the Court to order the respondents to jointly pay him the sum ₦500 million as special damages for the damage done to his house and his car and another ₦500 billion as exemplary and aggravated damages for beaching his fundamental rights with the malicious invasion of his house as well as an order directing the Federal Government and the other respondents to tender a public apology in two national dailies.
Igboho filed the application, through his lawyer, Yomi Alliyu, to enforce his fundamental human rights, pursuant to Sections 33-46 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and relevant articles of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.
The application was filed on July 22 before the Ibadan Division of the Oyo State High Court.
Apart from the Attorney General of the Federation, the State Security Service, and the Director SSS, Oyo State were also listed as respondents.
Igboho also sought an order of the court directing the respondents to return all the items seized from the house.
He listed the items to include, N2 million cash, one thousand Euros, travel documents including international passports belonging to him and his family members, gold jewelry and wristwatches, 2 mobile phones, and other items yet unknown but which were allegedly carted away by the SSS.
Reacting, one of Igboho lawyers, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said: “This is succour and an assurance that Nigerians can return to court to seek justice. With this judgement, the system has built confidence.
“This is also a strong warning to DSS that they are not bigger than the law. “It is a signal that it is not good to take laws into their hands and jeopardise the interest of citizens. Igboho will also be glad about this. It is a confidence-building judgement for us.”
But DSS Spokesperson, Dr Peter Afunanya, told the Abuja-based Daily Trust that “the court possibly has not informed us. So, my official response is that I don’t have any comments.”
Some of Igboho’s aides who were arrested during the raid have been released except for two who were charged for terrorism.
Igboho is currently languishing in a Benin Republic prison awaiting the verdict of the Beninese court.
This was originally published by Daily Trust
