Abdullahi Awwal Muhammad, the lead counsel to the five alleged Al-Shabab terrorists, on Tuesday, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, confirmed that the accused persons were well catered for by the Department of the State Service, DSS, while in detention.
The lawyer said the accused persons told him that they were never maltreated since 2022 when they were arrested by the DSS operatives.
“I am so happy and impressed when they spoke with me one after the other that they were treated like human beings that they are.
” They even confirmed that DSS has good, fantastic facilities except that they were not allowed hundred percent access to the facilities.
“In good conscience, DSS did not maltreat any of them and I am so happy and lovely with that. You could even see how they were relating with their friends when they entered the court room. They were allowed to move freely in the court room and that is a confirmation of good conduct from our security agency.
The lawyer’s remark was in response to the approval granted by the Director General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Ajayi for lawyers and family members of the accused persons to have access to them in the custody.
DSS Counsel, Dr Callistus Eze had informed Justice Emeka Nwite that lawyers and family members of the accused persons can now have access to them to enable them prepare for their defense in the terrorism charges against them.
“My lord, immediately the court order was conveyed to the appointing authority, the visitation request was granted without the usual bureaucratic systems”.
“Henceforth, the lawyers to the defendants as well as their family members can now access them. The approval has been conveyed to the defendants through their lawyers “, DSS counsel submitted.
