“Though our little findings show that the Sarkin Hausawa is being held in connection with the ongoing investigation to the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, but that was not enough reasons to hold him incommunicado under gruesome conditions.
ASHENEWS reports that the Arewa Community in Lagos state, has asked the Department of State Service (DSS), to release its leader, the Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos, who is also the Chairman of the Arewa Council of Chiefs in Lagos state, Aminu Idris Yaro.
Addressing a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, its spokesperson, Dr. Ahmed Jimeta, called for the immediate release of Yaro and his wife.
“It’s expedient and with heavy heart that I address you today on behalf of the Arewa Council of Chiefs, Lagos state, and indeed the entire Arewa Community resident in Lagos State, in respect of the continued unexplained detention of the Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos and Chairman of the Council of Chiefs, Aminu Idris Yaro with his wife by the Department of State Services (DSS).
“It is worrisome to note that for this long, the Sarkin Hausawa has been held incommunicado by the DSS, under gruesome conditions, following what initially was a routine invitation, which he dutifully honoured.
“Though our little findings show that the Sarkin Hausawa is being held in connection with the ongoing investigation to the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, but that was not enough reasons to hold him incommunicado under gruesome conditions.
“Also, the Council is not unaware of any relationship between the Sarkin Hausawa and Mr. Godwin Emefiele just the way Emefiele is friends with many other chiefs and dignitaries all over the country and around the globe.
“However, it is deeply worrisome and regrettable, the unexplained connection of a friend with the ongoing investigation of Mr. Emefiele who, till this moment, as far as the public is concerned, is only being accused of possession of unlicenced firearm.
“Furthermore, the Council is concerned that the DSS might typically be used to hunt down respected leaders of community using smokescreen.
“While the Council of Arewa Chiefs does not dispute the prerogative of the DSS and any security agency in the country to invite any person, it deems useful for any of its investigations, we unequivocally condemn the detention of the Sarkin Hausawa incommunicado and beyond the lawfully allowed 24 hours by the DSS, and state that this is repugnant to the sensibilities of the traditional rulership system, the Arewa community and the Council of Chiefs.
“”In view of the appalling situation and the continuous detention of the Sariki, the Council of Arewa Chiefs and the entire Arewa Community make the following demands:
“We demand his immediate and unconditional release from what obviously seems to be unlawful and illegal detention.
“We demand that he be granted immediate access to his lawyers, medical attention and family.
We demand that, in the alternative, he be charged to a court of competent jurisdiction under the stipulated provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and United Nations Charter on Fundamental Human Rights,” Jimeta stated.
THE DEFENDER
