By Ishaya Ibrahim
Human rights campaigner and former Second Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Monday Onyeakachi Ubani, has said that the Federal Government of Nigeria has no powers to order the release from detention of Omoyele Sowore and Sambo Dasuki.
He explained that they had already been granted bail by various courts.
According to him, the directive from the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami, to the SSS for the release of Dasuki and Sowore was to the effect of complying with court orders.
His words: “We should re-emphasize the fact that they have just complied with the extant orders of the court, which they have hitherto being in breach thereof.
“Dasuki and Sowore were not in need of administrative bail from the SSS which would have fitted perfectly with this news of the Federal government ordering that the duo be released.
“What we know is that the duo have been granted judicial bail at various times and having perfected and complied with their bail conditions, the SSS decided to keep them in their custody in clear breach of the orders of the court.
“Several voices have spoken in favour of obedience to these court orders to no avail until today when they have decided to comply with the orders of the court. Good and right step even though belated.”
He said credit should be given to local and international well wishers who reminded the federal government that Nigeria is still a democracy and insisted that orders of court be obeyed.
He said what the federal government should do is expedite action in the prosecution of the duo to end the inglorious incidence of violations of citizens’ rights that have painted the country in bad light.
“I also advise that if their charges cannot be sustained by the evidences provided after investigation by the SSS, their trial should be discontinued immediately by the Office of the Attorney General, and they should be allowed to go home to rejoin their families,” he said.
Besides, the lawyer advised the government at all levels to respect the rule of law and obey court order as that will be in the interest of the present government in particular and Nigeria in general.
“I also appeal that they should comply with any other pending order /s of the court that is yet to be complied with by both the states and Federal government, respectively, ” Ubani said.