By KEMI KASUMU
The Arewa Community of Lagos State is asking for the release of Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos and Chairman, Arewa Council of Chiefs in Lagos State, Alhaji Aminu Idris Yaro.
The community, combining Hausa and Fulani communities, made the call for their leadet’s release from detention of the Department of State Services (DSS), on Thursday, during a press conference in Lagos, addressed by Dr Ahmed Jimeta, Kakakin Majalisa and Speaker Arewa Council of Chiefs, Lagos.
Jimeta was supported by Alhaji Musa Saleh Ali, Hakimin Trade Fair and Ado Kingdom, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos at the press briefing attended by many members of the communities.
In his address, Dr. Ahmed Jimeta said, “It’s expedient and with heavy heart that I address you today on behalf of the Arewa Council of Chiefs, Lagos State, and indeed the entire Arewa Community resident in Lagos State, in respect of the unexplained continues detention of the Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos and Chairman of the Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Aminu Idris Yaro with his wife by the Department of State Services (DSS).
“It is worrisome to note that for this long the Sarkin Hausawa has been held incommunicado by the DSS, under gruesome conditions, following what initially was a routine invitation, which he dutifully honoured.
“Though our little findings shows that the Sarkin Hausawa is being held in connection with the ongoing investigation of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, but that was not enough reasons to hold incommunicado under gruesome conditions.
“Also the Council is not unaware of the friendship relationship between the Sarkin Hausawa and Mr. Godwin Emefiele just the way Emefiele is friends with many other chiefs and dignitaries all over the country and around the globe.
“However, it is deeply worrisome and regrettable, the unexplained connection of a friend with the ongoing investigation of Mr Emefiele who till this moment, as far as the public is concerned, is only being accused of possession of unlicenced firearm.
“Furthermore, the Council is concerned that the DSS might typically be used to hunt down respected leaders of community using smoke screen.
“While the Council of Arewa Chiefs does not dispute the prerogative of the DSS and any security service in the country to invite any person it deems useful for any of its investigations, we unequivocally condemn the detention of the Sarkin Hausawa incommunicado and beyond the lawfully allowed 24 hours by the DSS, and states that this is repugnant to the sensibilities of the traditional rulership system, the Arewa community and the Council of Chiefs.
“”In view of the appalling situation and the continuous detention of the Sarikin, the Council of Arewa Chiefs and the entire Arewa Community make the following demands…
“1.We demand his immediate and unconditional release from what obviously seems to be unlawful and illegal detention.
“2. We demand that he be granted immediate access to his lawyers, medical attention and family.
:3.We demand that, in the alternative, that he be charged to a court of competent jurisdictions under the stipulated provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and United Nations Charter on Fundamental Human Rights.”
