A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday ordered immediate release of five employees of the Data Centre of All Progressives Congress (APC), who were arrested by the Department of State Security (DSS) on November 22, 2014.

Chinedu Atuche, Fayemi Olaposi, Augustine Onuchukwu, Ebun Ilori and Esther Enemy – all APC workers, were arrested by DSS operatives and police during a raid on a building which the APC said was its data office at Allen Avenue in Lagos.

But Justice Mohammed Yunusa, who ordered the release, equally restrained the DSS from further arresting the five employees pending the hearing and determination of a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the APC.

The judge, after entertaining arguments from lawyers on both sides, held that it was unjustifiable for the workers to have been detained beyond the period prescribed by Section 35 of the Constitution, without being charged to court.

Justice Yunusa ruled that the DSS could no longer continue to detain the applicants without filing a charge against them or bringing them before a competent court.

The matter was consequently adjourned to January 19, 2015.

Despite the ruling, it was gathered that DSS officials went away with the APC workers, who were produced in court as ordered by the judge.

The applicants – the APC and the detained staff – had filed an action before the court seeking an enforcement of their fundamental rights.

Source – Daily Independent