Zakari Isah, Kaduna
The Arewa Council of Chiefs, Lagos State is demanding the immediate and unconditional release from the unlawful detention of the Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos Alhaji Aminu Idris Yaro with his wife by the Department of State Service (DSS).
The Council in a statement by the Jarman Lagos, Yerima Shettima, urged the DSS to grant him immediate access to legal representation, medical attention and family members.
"In the alternative, present him for cognizance by a competent court of law in accordance with the provisions that invalidate the indefinite detention of persons without trial", the statement said.
"We note also that the Sarkin Hausawa has been held by the DSS incommunicado for the last three days following what initially was a routine invitation which he dutifully honoured".
The Council of Arewa Chiefs also understands that the Sarkin Hausawa is being held in connection with the ongoing investigation of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele.
The Council is not unaware of the relationship between the Sarkin Hausawa and Mr Godwin Emefiele just the way Emefiele is friend with many other chiefs and dignitaries all over the country and around the globe.
"What is regrettable is however, 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".
The Jarman Lagos, noted with concern that the DSS might typically be used to hunt down respected leaders of community using terrorism fight as smoke screen.
While the Council of Arewa Chiefs does not dispute the prerogative of the DSS and any security service in the country to invite any person it deems useful for any of its investigations, "we however find the detention of the Sarkin Hausawa incommunicado and beyond the lawfully allowed 24 hours by the DSS, repugnant to the sensibilities of the traditional rulership system, the Arewa community and the Council of Chiefs".
Meanwhile, the Council of Arewa Chiefs, and indeed the Arewa Community in the South-West and every decent Nigerian and institution in Nigeria can attest to the Sarkin Hausawa's credibility, leadership, sacrifice, statesmanship, patriotism and unwavering commitment to the interests of the people of Northern Nigerian in the South, and citizens of Nigeria as whole.
He is as well known never to lower the bar where the interests of the North, the unity and security of Nigeria, or when the welfare of all citizens are involved.
"Traditional rulers will first need to be accorded commensurate respect, their emasculation, maltreatment and harassment has to be ended and their revered place of respect assured before we can place any hope in them to do anything meaningful in the community", the statement stressed.
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