Uproar As DSS Operatives Invade Court, Arrest Defendants

The Department of State Services (DSS) has drawn criticism after its operatives raided a State High Court in Ilaro, Ogun State, and apprehended two defendants, causing uproar among observers.

Alhaji Isiaka Fatai and Samuel Oyero were being tried in a suit marked HCP/IC/2023, titled the State vs Awode Oladosu & 13 others, presided over by Justice A.A. Shobayo. The case stemmed from allegations of arson reported by Chief Akeem Adigun (aka Socopao) against Fatai, Oyero, and 12 others.

The incident occurred amid tensions in Agosasa community, Ipokia Local Government Area, following a crisis over an Obaship tussle, resulting in significant property damage and loss of life.

Lawyer Kehinde Bamiwola, representing Alhaji Isiaka, alleged that DSS operatives deployed force, stating, “Alhaji Isiaka Fatai was beaten, slapped, man-handled, rough-handled, and molested.”

Principal Registrar Omololu Olusanya condemned the incursion, labeling it “shocking and disrespectful to the rule of law.” Despite the Judge’s directive against arrests within the court premises, the operatives proceeded with the arrests, even assaulting court staff in the process.

Olusanya recounted, “They did not wear anything that identified them as DSS, but they came to my lord this morning and said they had some people to arrest. That was when we knew they were DSS officers.”

Efforts to reach DSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.