Boko Haram suspected financier sues SSS for N10bn •Over unlawful detention

BILLIONAIRE oil and gas magnate, Alhaji Salami Abdullahi, accused of funding the terrorism activities of the Boko Haram sect has sued the State Security Services (SSS) for a sum of N10 billion at a Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged unlawful arrest and detention.
The Kogi State-based industrialist, who is also the Chief Executive and Managing Director of ASTA Nigeria Group, claimed that he was apprehended in one of his petrol stations since October by combined operatives of the SSS, soldiers and police and was detention without trial since then.
The applicant claimed that he was denied access to his family members, medical doctors and the legal team.
In the application for enforcement of his fundamental rights, the applicant asked Justice Gabriel Kolawole to compel the SSS to file charges against him in a law court or set him free.
In the application filed by Chief James Ocholi, the businessman asked the court to declare that his detention since October last year without trial was in breach of Section 35(1) and Section 36(8) of the 1999 Constitution.
He also applied to the court to stop the SSS from further harassing, intimidating and threatening his liberty to freedom.
The applicant asked the court to compel the SSS to pay him the N10 billion jointly and severally as exemplary fundamental rights and loss of legitimate businesses.
In the affidavit in support of his motion, the applicant claimed that he was arrested at one of his oil stations at Ayangba, in Kogi State since October last year.
He averred that the combined team of the security agents conducted thorough searches in his residence and business premises but found nothing incriminating.
The applicant also indicated that he was moved from Ayangba to Lokoja, where he spent 10 days before he was subsequently moved to the SSS headquarters in Abuja, where he had been held without trial.
Abdullahi averred that while in the SSS custody, an identification parade was organised by SSS and that none of the people he was alleged to be sponsoring linked him with any Boko Haram activities.
He described as unfounded and spurious, the allegation that he was financing the Boko Haram sect.
Justice Kolawole adjourned ruling in the case indefinitely, though the matter would be mentioned on January 28.
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