The Centre for the vulnerable & the underprivileged, CENTREP, has threatened to drag the Department of State Security, DSS, before a Delta State High Court if it fails or neglects its calls for the release of the publisher of Urhobo Times, Mr. Daniel Ekiugbo from detention.
This was contained in a statement signed by CENTREP’s Executive Director, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, Esq.
Ikimi noted that Daniel Ekiugbo has been in detention over alleged libelous reports against a serving minister without any charge preferred against him or being charged to court for two months now.
The fiery Warri based legal practitioner also noted that the DSS has deprived the publisher access to members of his immediate family and lawyers while being held incommunicado.
Ikimi who is calling for the release of Mr. Daniel Ekiugbo also challenged the DSS to immediately charge the publisher to court if he is culpable of any crime, stating that,” his continuous detention was unlawful, wrongful and in violation of his fundamental rights to personal liberty, family life and fair hearing.”
“It is therefore in line with the provisions of Sections 35(1), 36(5) and 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) that we call for the urgent release of Citizen Daniel Ekiugbo from the custody of the State Security Service as the victim has a fundamental right to personal liberty, fair hearing and family life as he is presumed innocent until proved guilty in a Law Court. “
“Should the State Security Service refuse, fail or neglect to heed our above humble demand forthwith, we shall not hesitate to approach the High Court of Delta State for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of Citizen Daniel Ekiugbo and claim damages at large against the State Security Service to serve as a deterrent to other security agencies nationwide.”
“It is in the light of the above that we demand the immediate and unconditional release of Citizen Daniel Ekiugbo or in the alternative, be charged to Court forthwith as justice delayed is justice denied.”
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