The former minister of justice and attorney general of the federation, Abubakar Malami, has expressed concern over the Department of State Service’s (DSS) unconstitutional imprisonment and obvious unwillingness to meet with his legal team to launch a defense.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Bello Muhammed Doka alleged that Malami was rearrested by DSS after meeting the court-ordered bail conditions on charges of interim asset forfeiture.
According to him, it is concerning and an infringement on his constitutional rights, as his arrest comes before investigations, which contradicts constitutional norms.
“We have raised the alarm over his detention by DSS for over five days without allowing him to meet his legal team and the release of his international passport, which is part of the bail conditions.”
Doka went on to say that his detention by the Department of State Service without access to his legal team, which occurred only on Friday, demonstrated that they are following the same pattern as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in denying him speedy justice and bail that had already been granted by a competent court.
He urged DSS to end their restriction of Malami’s access to his legal team and disclose the necessary documents so that he could begin his defense.
“We know they are a responsible organization that believes in the rule of law and also believes in the just administration of justice; therefore, we expect they apply that in the case of Malami.”
He mentioned that obstruction of justice amounted to infringements of his human rights and his right to a free and fair hearing.
