From Maiharaji Altine, Gusau
High Court two sitting in Gusau, the Zamfara state capital has fined the Department of States Services (DSS) the sum of N20.000 for failure to be in the court during the hearing of a case filed by the dethroned Maru Emir, Alhaji Abubakar Chika Ibrahim.
Recall that, the dethroned Emir has dragged the State Government, the Police, DSS and others for his removal, alleged illegal detention and infringement of his fundamental human rights where he was detained in Government House for eleven months.
Delivering the judgement, the High Court Judge, Justice Bello Shinkafi said, “Based on the non presence of the 2nd and fifth respondents ( the Director General DSS and the State’s Director Security) in the court, the court hereby fined them N20.000”.
Justice Bello adjourned the sitting of the court to July 6 next month for adoption.
Speaking to journalists after the Court’s session, the Counsel to the dethroned Emir, Barrister Abubakar Aliyu Salisu said, “You know, previously the matter was filed in this court by the Emir of Maru for infringement of his fundamental human rights”.
“The matter has been frustrating for long. It has been engaged into serious adjournments”.
“Last time, after the court’s strike action, we came back to the court and the court gave us today Monday 28th June”.
“We all appeared but the DSS were not here. So the Judge ordered for fresh hearing notice and was served to the DSS and today we came back but still the Counsel representing the DSS was engaged in a National assignment and didn’t attend the Court’s session”.
“Based on the responses of the other respondents like the 1st, 3rd, 4th and sixth respondents and the application made by the Counsel to the DSS, the court granted the application with a fine of N20.000 against the DSS for being absent and the matter was adjourned to July 6, for adoption”. Concluded Barrister Salisu.
