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Court Orders DSS To Pay Abuja Driver N5m For Unlawful Detention

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A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fined the Department of State Services N5m for the unlawful arrest and detention of an Abuja-based commercial driver, Sanusi Shuaib.

The court also ordered the DSS to immediately release the driver who had been in detention since March 2023.

The detained driver had through his lawyer, Bala Dakum, dragged the DSS before the court to challenge his detention without trial since his arrest.

Dakum alleged that upon his client’s arrest, the DSS accused him of possessing firearms for alleged terrorists and has been in DSS custody ever since.

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The lawyer, however, prayed for his release and N50 million compensation for the unlawful detention.

Delivering judgment on the matter on Thursday, Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon held that the DSS flagrantly flouted Section 35 of the country’s constitution which prohibited detention of any Nigerian beyond a maximum period of 48 hours without an order of the court.

Olajuwon said the DSS on March 29, 2023, got an order from the Federal High Court to hold and detain the driver for only 20 days to investigate and charge him to court if indicted for any criminal matters.

She noted that the DSS did not apply to the court for an extension of the 20 days detention period and also did not charge him to court for any offence.

Olajuwon said any detention outside the 20 days was unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional, and null and void.

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She noted that the fundamental rights of the applicant to freedom of movement had been breached by the DSS.

The judge faulted the claim of the DSS that it was granted six months to detain the driver, adding that what the court granted was just 20 days.

Justice Olajuwon also disagreed with the DSS that the detainee had been moved to the Military detention facility in Niger State for trial in terrorism offences, adding that there was no evidence to that effect placed before the court.

The judge also faulted the claim of the security agency that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice approved the trial of the driver.

Justice Olajuwon who quoted the letter of the AGF said that the AGF office only recommended that a fresh investigation be conducted into the allegations against the driver which was never done.

The judge then annulled the driver’s detention and mandated his prompt release from DSS custody.

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JUST IN: Popular Gospel Singer Is Dead

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Popular Gospel singer Morenikeji Adeleke, also known as Egbin Orun, is dead.

Her colleague Esther Igbekele, confirmed the death in an Instagram post on Sunday.

The gospel singer expressed shock and sadness, sayin Egbin Orun departed suddenly without bidding farewell.

According to her, the two had recently spoken, unaware of the impending tragedy.

READ ALSO: How God Saved Me From Firing Squad – Gospel Artiste, Buchi

Igbekele praised Egbin Orun’s beauty, kindness, and strong support for her ministry.

She wrote, “I got home from my program to hear about this great loss.. Prophetess Morenikeji Egbin Orun you left without saying goodbye..

“We spoke together last week not knowing you are about to embark on a journey to the great beyond.. You are such a beautiful and kind hearted woman and a very good supporter of my ministry.

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“I am deeply saddened with your demise but God knows best. You will be greatly missed and your good deeds will continue to linger in our hearts.

“Ah Egbin Orun. Good night! Keep resting in the bosom of Christ.. Ah Gone too soon..Yeeee.”

The cause of her death remains undisclosed and no official statement has been issued.

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How God Saved Me From Firing Squad – Gospel Artiste, Buchi

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A popular gospel singer, Buchi Atuonwu, simply known as Buchi, has revealed how God saved him from firing squad.

During an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief program on Friday, Buchi said he and some other people were already lined up for execution by the firing squad.

He said despite not being religious, his desperation to be alive made him call on God and make a promise to dedicate his life to serving Him in exchange for his life if spared.

He narrated, “At a point in my life, we were laying up for execution. Indeed, the people who were to execute us were already kneeling, ready to fire. It is true that I called out to a God that I didn’t know, saying if you save me, I will serve you. Since we don’t have all the time, let me just say that He saved me from that firing squad.

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“Then I devoted my life to serving him. To see that my music is not empty and that it becomes an extension of a classroom for me having been a teacher in the university. The stage became an extension of the classroom. Who says musicians can not sing about GMOs, government policies, trends, events, and happenings that inform the quality of life of the people?”

Speaking on what influenced his choice of music, Buchi said his background and an intention to make a change after being spared from death were the factors responsible for his style of music.

I come from a peculiar background. Night club DJ and at the same time a university lecturer and transiting to the choir of a church having been involved in the campus confraternity, drug abuse, and youth violence amongst others.

“My kind of music has to be somewhat different. Influenced by that background and also with an intention to make a change, it led me to the kind of stories that you are referring to. Stories that manured the songs that I put out, such as gun running and violence,” he stated.

READ ALSO: Man Jumps Into Lagoon, Dies After Being Chased By Mob For Alleged Stealing

No relationship between reggae music and weed

Speaking on a controversial comment that every musician must use performance-enhanced drugs to perform at their best, Buchi said it is a narrative sold by people, adding that there is no relationship between reggae music and weed.

“It is a narrative sold by people interested in the matter. It’s like saying to watch a good movie, I need popcorn. yes, they go together, people buy it and do it. They practice it. It is also like saying to watch a good football match. I need a particular kind of drink with me.

“It is okay to sell your products and ideas but I don’t have to accept it absolutely because I know that I can watch a good movie without popcorn and I can also watch a good football game without the drinks in question. In the same way, there is no relationship between reggae music and weed.

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“Yes, I have been there, and now I am here. I know for sure that the substances that I took at that time did not enhance my performance. It is true that you have to be in a certain state of mind to give your best, but drugs don’t take you there. There are so many other things like deep thinking and concern for what you are that can take you there.”

In January, the music star refuted claims that his genre of music— reggae was connected to his past romance with marijuana.

His response followed criticisms from those who questioned the inspiration behind a book he published.
PUNCH

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UNIBEN Ex-deputy VC Is Dead

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A Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Benin, Edo State, Prof. Pius Iribhogbe, is dead.

Until his demise, Prof. Iribhogbe was also a consultant trauma surgeon, head of the Department of Surgery and coordinator of the School of Paramedics at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

The academic scholar passed on in Saudi Arabia.

UNIBEN’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, who confirmed the surgeon’s death said the school was yet to issue a statement.

 

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