A Federal Capital Territory High Court has dismissed a fundamental human rights suit brought by Sa’adatu Yaro, a staff member of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), against the Department of State Services (DSS). The suit sought the release of six exotic cars seized by the secret police on July 12, as well as Yaro’s release from continued detention.
Sa’adatu Yaro is the second defendant in a N6.9 billion procurement fraud case involving the suspended CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele. Her absence had previously halted the trial proceedings for the case.
In the motion on notice with the reference FCT/HC/CV/6918/23, Yaro, represented by her lawyer J.B Daudu SAN, asked the court to declare her arrest on July 12, 2023, along with the detention of her husband and the seizure of her six luxury cars, as an infringement on her fundamental human rights.
Daudu argued that the Department of State Services, not being an anti-graft agency, lacked the jurisdiction and statutory powers to investigate the applicant’s business dealings. He further contended that Yaro’s continuous detention and alleged torture by the DSS since July 12, 2023, violated her rights to dignity of human person and personal liberty, as guaranteed by Sections 34 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The court’s decision highlights the ongoing legal battles surrounding allegations of financial misconduct and abuse of power, underscoring the complexities of the legal landscape in addressing such cases involving government entities and individuals.