Following public outrage and condemnation that trailed the recent invasion of Abuja court by operatives of the Department of State Service, DSS, to arrest detained activist Omoyele Sowore, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has demanded for the case file of the detained activist from the DSS.
He said the Federal Government is committed to respecting the sanctity of the rule of law, protecting the virtues of human rights and ensuring speedy dispensation of justice.
The position of the AGF was contained in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu.
The statement said the request for the transfer of the case to the office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice was contained in a letter dated December 11, 2019 and addressed to the Director-General of the Department of State Services, National Headquarters, Abuja.
The statement added: “As part of deliberate efforts to probe emerging issues related to the recent imbroglio related to Omoyele Sowore’s case and for speedy dispensation of justice, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice has requested that the case file in respect of charge pending before the Federal High Court, Abuja be forwarded to his office.
“The Solicitor General of the Federation and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Dayo Apata, SAN, who signed the letter, referred to a letter from the DSS office on 9th September, 2019.
“According to the letter, “the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, upon a further review of the case, has directed the immediate takeover of the prosecution of all charges in respect of Omoyole Sowore by the Federal Ministry of Justice in line with the provisions of Sections 150(1) and 174 (1) (a-c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”
“The letter requested the Director to “promptly forward all the case files” in respect of Omoyele Sowore to the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.”
