Alleged torture, killing: FHC fines DSS N407m in Nasarawa, directs release of corpse for burial 11 months after

By David Odama

Crisis of alleged torture that led to the demise of Salamatu Adamu, a Lafia based house wife in the custody of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) Lafia, Nasarawa state has been laid to rest.

It would be recalled that Salamatu Adamu, the Lafia based house wife, a mother of two was allegedly arrested by the personnel of the Department of State Security Service (DSSS), on November 7, 2023, at about 9am,at her resident in Tudun Kofa in Lafia, the Nasarawa State

Recalled also that Salamatu Adamu, was allegedly accused by one Adamu, as one of the accomplices and conspirator to a kidnapped case of a little boy in the area, which led to the DSSS picking her and allegedly tortured to death.

In his ruling, the presiding Judge, Justice Ajiya H. Nganjiwa awarded a cumulative sum of Four Hundred and Seven Million Naira (N407million), on the account of violation of fundamental right of the 45-year Salamatu Adamu.

Justice Nganjiwa, however directed DSSS to release the corpse of the deceased, deposited at the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital, to the family for burial according to the Islamic rite.

He condemned the act of the DSSS personnel against the deceased and her family, saying that, nobody or institution is above the constitutional provision in a lively democratic society.

Justice Ajiya H. Nganjiwa, who presided over the case, dismissed all the preliminary objection of ‘no cause of action’, filed by the DSSS.

Counsel to Musa Shittu Mohammed, husband to the deceased,Abubakar Abubakar Dogara, thanked the court for the ruling and for granting all their prayers against the DSSS.

“We are in court upon endorsement of the fundamental rights of one Salamatu Adamu, who died in the custody of the Department of State Security Service.

“We have filed our processes and the court, in it wisdom asserted that by the outrageous conduct of the respondent (DSSS), have violated the rights of late Salamatu Administration, since, of course they can not justify the purpose of her arrest”, Abubakar Dogara said.

“We are happy that the court grant all our relief sought, and will continue to fight actions against fundamentals rights.

In his reaction, counsel to the DSSS, Abdullazeez Y. Afebwa, simply appreciated the court for the ruling. but insisted that, for him to say a word, “I have to seek the audience from my office before I can talk to you”.

When contact for further comment on the telephone after the judgement, Afebwa, refuse commenting, and rather suggested that, a former request be lodged to his office in that regard.

The DSSS had claimed in counter affidavit that, Salamatu Adamu died as a result of sudden dead, with documentary evidence.