Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) has decried the continued detention of Sarkin Hausawan Lagos, Alhaji Aminu Yaro, which is alleged to be in connection with the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, who is under the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a statement issued by CNF Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, Mohammed Danlami, he described the non-release of the Sarkin Hausawan as a violation of his human rights and disrespect for the rule of law.
The forum averred that there is no legal reason for the DSS to continue to hold such a “respected figure, a community leader and renowned business man along with his wife in detention.”
He said the continued detention is barbaric, adding that it is not done anywhere in the world, especially in a democracy, but only under military dictatorship will such a thing happen.
He noted that according to the law, accused persons are innocent until evidence is produced before a competent court to justify their convictions, adding that no such evidence has been produced against Alhaji Aminu Yaro or his wife, yet the DSS continues to hold them in detention.
“Clearly, the DSS is on siege and witch hunt against certain Nigerians, which is very unprofessional of them. Their mandates and responsibilities are defined, sticking to them is the ideal and professional way to go.”
As a security agency, it should be the number one promoter of the law, to continue to hold innocent Nigerians over baseless allegations where there is a court order against it is in no way close to being legally friendly or professional,” he added.
Danlami said it is worrisome to see how innocent man’s reputation, his life and that of his family is treated like it means nothing by the nation’s security agency, stressing that as concerned Northerners, they will not let this pass-by, adding that “we therefore seek President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s help to end this injustice, siege and witch hunt by the DSS on all Nigerians, especially Alh. Aminu Yaro, the Sarkin Hausawan Lagos, whom we believe the President knows on personal terms, was a major supporter of the President that made enormous contributions to his success in the presidential election.”
“On orders of the court, the allegations against Alh. Aminu Yaro and his wife are baseless, hence, no justification for their continued detention without any definition. On this note, we appeal to President Tinubu to call for the immediate release of Sarkin Hausawan Lagos from DSS illegal detention.
“While we call on the Department of State Services (DSS) to conform to the order given by court and release Alhaji Aminu Yaro and all those in illegal detention, we are calling on Nigerians to come out in mass for a peaceful protest against the leadership of the DSS over disrespect for the rule of law and acting without professionalism,” he said.
