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The House of Representatives has said it would investigate allegations of alleged unlawful detention of some Nigerians including former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki and Yunusa Adamu Dangwani, a Kano State-based renowned consultant Neurologist by Department of State Services (DSS).
Dasuki was arrested and detained in the past two years over alleged extra budgetary spending worth N643.8 billion and $2.2 billion foreign component of the arms procurement fund under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The House resolution was passed on response to a motion titled: ‘Abuse of the fundamental rights provisions of Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) by the DSS,’ sponsored by Aliyu Madaki (APC-Kano).
In his lead debate, Madaki alleged that Dangwani who was arrested and detained at the DSS headquarters in Abuja, condemned his denial to his family and lawyer.
“The House is disturbed that the arrest and eventual detention of Dangwani has adversely affected his reputation as a good citizen of Nigeria and contravenes Section 17 of the 1999 institution which provides thus: the state social order is founded on ideals of freedom, equality and justice.
“In furtherance of the social order every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before the law. The sanctity of human person shall be recognised and human dignity shall be maintained and enhanced; government actions shall be humane,” he noted.
The Kano lawmaker also decried the DSS failure to charge Dangwani to court, thereby offending his personal liberty, contrary to sections 35(4 & 5) and 36(5) of the 1999 constitution, which presume him as innocent until he is proven guilty.
“The way men of the DSS choose to treat the arrest and detention of Dr. Dangwani amounts to constituting itself into an institution operating under a different law and institution in clear violation of the 1999 constitution.
KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja
