Reps Order DSS to Release or Prosecute Saraki’s Aide, Ugochinyere

Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere

The House of Representatives has directed the Department of State Security, DSS to either charge the President of the National Youth Council and Special Assistant to Bukola Saraki on Youth and Students Matters, Barrister Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere to court or release him immediately.

Recall that it was reported that Ugochinyere’s family relaesed a statement on Tuesday saying that he has been detained by the DSS after his invitation by the Assistant Director of Internal Security. Click here if you missed it

The call was made after a motion under Urgent Public Matters was brought before the House by Honourable Goodluck Opiah. According to Vanguard, Opiah said that it was alleged that Ugochinyere is being detained for his view in the ongoing trial of the Senate President in a television interview:

“The House is worried that he has been harassed and intimidated for supporting the Senate President and taking the Minister of Youth and Sport to court in protection of his office as President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria.

Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees the freedom of opinion of all Nigerians, including Ugochinyere Michael.

Section 35 further guarantees the right to personal liberty of Ugochinyere and we are worried that he has been held for more than 48 hours by the men of the DSS,” he said