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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Court orders DSS to release Jigawa teen, surrender operative for probe

From The Punch · (6m ago) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A Federal High Court in Jigawa State ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to release a 16-year-old girl, Walida Abdulhadi, and surrender its operative, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, to the police for investigation.
  • The DSS operative is accused of abducting and sexually abusing Abdulhadi in 2023, during which she gave birth to a child.
  • The court condemned the DSS for shielding its officer and stated that only the police and courts have jurisdiction over such criminal allegations.

The judiciary has once again proven to be the bastion of hope for the common man, with a Federal High Court in Dutse, Jigawa State, delivering a landmark judgment that rectifies a grave injustice. The court's order for the unconditional release of Walida Abdulhadi, a 16-year-old victim of alleged abduction and sexual abuse by a DSS operative, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, is a victory for human rights and due process.

The conduct of the DSS in hiding and shielding an officer accused of this terrible crime is condemnable.

— Justice Hassan DikkoThe trial judge's condemnation of the DSS for allegedly shielding its officer accused of abduction and sexual abuse.

Justice Hassan Dikko's condemnation of the DSS for allegedly shielding its officer is particularly noteworthy. The court rightly asserted that the secret service lacks the legal authority to investigate its own personnel in such serious criminal matters, emphasizing that jurisdiction lies solely with the police and the courts. This ruling dismantles the DSS's attempt to conduct its own investigation, which was seen as an effort to obstruct justice.

Walida's ordeal, which began in 2023 and resulted in the birth of her child while in the suspect's custody, has drawn significant attention. The court's decision to order the operative's handover to the police for a thorough investigation is a crucial step towards accountability. The family's lawyer, Kabiru Adamu, rightly welcomed the judgment, stating it has restored faith in the judiciary and will ensure justice and due process.

We welcome this judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Dutse, Jigawa State, because it has confirmed that the court remains the last hope of the common man.

— Kabiru AdamuWalida's family lawyer reacting to the court's decision.

This case highlights a disturbing trend where state security agencies may overstep their bounds and attempt to shield their operatives from lawful prosecution. The court's firm stance sends a clear message that no one is above the law, regardless of their affiliation. We, at The Punch, believe this judgment will serve as a deterrent and reinforce the public's trust in the Nigerian legal system.

the ruling had restored hope in the judiciary.

— Kabiru AdamuWalida's family lawyer commenting on the impact of the court's decision.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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