Anthony Okolie, man who was arrested by the Department of State Services and detained for 10 weeks for using a phone number previously owned by Hanan Buhari, has filed a lawsuit against her, the Department of States Services and MTN.
Okolie in the suit which he filed before the Federal High Court Asaba, with suit number FHC/ASB/CS/3/2020, prayed the honorable court for a order declaring his detention by the DSS a breach of his fundamental rights and contrary to section 34 and 35 of the Constitution Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.
He also prayed the court for an order to “compel the respondents (DSS, Hanan and MTN) jointly or severally to pay the applicant the sum of N500,000,000 only as general and aggravated damages for the gross and unlawful violation of the applicant’s right to acquire moveable properties, freedom of movement and self dignity.”
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In his supporting affidavit, Okolie disclosed that he was arrested on July 19, 2019, and remained in custody till September because Hanan Buhari, who was contacted by DSS to clear him refused to show up, while insisting that she was busy with her studies in the UK.
The affidavit in part reads;
“That on December 8, 2019, at Ogbeogonogo Market, Nebu Road, Asaba, Delta State, I purchased a SIM card with Phone Number, 09035666662, for the sum of N1,000 only and I received a SIM pack with accompanying documents as a result as evidence of purchase receipt.
“That in line with relevant regulations, I approached a kit operator of the 3rd respondent (MTN) named Jeff, who captured my biometric and registered the SIM card in my name and on my behalf.
“That in July, 2019, I visited my business associate at his residence in Asaba and saw him being taken away by officers of the 1st respondent (DSS). During the process, they obtained information from him on who he communicated with last over the phone and my associated announced that it was me.
“That immediately afterwards, officers of the 1st respondent (DSS) arrested me and led me to their vehicle, asking me to keep quiet and drove me to their offices in Asaba, Delta, State.
“That after a while, they disclosed that my arrest was ordered by the Presidency and I had to be taken to Abuja for further interrogation on which basis they drove me to Abuja by road the following day.”
“That the 2nd respondent (Hanan) was contacted several times by officers of the 1st respondent (DSS) but the 2nd respondent (Hanan) declined making herself available by claiming that she was busy with studies in the United Kingdom.”