…Beat Up Justice Dimgba’s Brother, Orders Him To Frog-Jump
In what seemed a clampdown on the judiciary, scores of armed operatives
from the State Security Services (SSS), Nigeria’s secret police late
Friday night invaded the Abuja homes of two judges of the Federal High
Court, Justices Nnamdi Dimgba and Ademola.
Pointblanknews.com checks revealed that the armed operatives arrived at
the 30, Ogbemudia Crescent, Zone E, Apo Legislative quarters of the
judges at about 8pm, and commandeered the private guards to lead them to
their bosses.
When the guards declined, the operatives reportedly assaulted them before
forcing their way into the twin duplexes.
The Operatives beat up the younger brother of Justice Dimgba who was
identified as Ifeanyi and ordered him to frog-jump, Pointblanknews.com
correspondent who was at the scene reports.
As at 11pm, the operatives had still not left the judges, and had cordoned
off the entire street. Pointblanknews.com counted at least ten black
Nissan Pickups often used by the secret police for operations.
It could not be immediately ascertained why the SSS invaded the homes of
the two judges.
Justice Ademola, whose father was the first Nigerian Attorney General of
the Federation is regarded as fearless, and handled the certificate
controversy case of President Muhammadu Buhari.
On the other hand, Justice Dimgba is handling the $40 million security
contract case involving Mr. Azibaola Robert, cousin of former President
Goodluck Jonathan.
Justice Dimgba had in July berated the Department of State Security (DSS)
for flouting an order of the court to remand a defendant in prison.
Mr. Dimgba had ordered that a retired Air Commodore, Umar Mohammed, who
was arraigned before him on Thursday, be remanded in Kuje Prison pending
the hearing of his bail application.
But the SSS failed to produce him in court on Friday while his counsel
argued his bail application.
Mr. Dimgba said he took strong exception to the service’s disregard of the
court’s order by keeping the defendant in its custody, describing it as an
embarrassment to democracy.
“I take a strong exception to this type of behaviour; when the court
orders that someone be kept in prison custody, the person ought to be kept
in prison and not in the office.
“If the people at the DSS want to become judge and do their job as well, I
am ready to vacate my office for them, but as long as I am still here, I
take an exception to them flouting the orders of the court.
“Once processes have been filed in court, it is no longer in their hands
and the order of the court must be obeyed,’’ Mr. Dimgba said.
He asked the prosecuting counsel, E.A Orji, to convey the grievances of
the court to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.
The judge adjourned ruling on the bail application until 2 p.m.
Counsel to Mr. Mohammed, Hassan Liman, had told the court that the SSS
whisked Mr. Mohammed away immediately after the court proceedings ended on
Thursday.
But the prosecuting counsel explained that the defendant was taken to the
SSS office for some documentation.
Mr. Mohammed is charged with money laundering, possession of fire arms and
violation of provision of Official Secret Act.
The defendant is a retired Air Force officer and was a member of the
presidential team investigating the arms deal in the country.