DSS Can Now Detain Suspects for 45 Days, Says Court

The Federal High Court in Abuja thursday granted permission to the Department of State Service (DSS) to detain one Adamu Mohammed for 45 days pending conclusion of investigation.

Mohammed is being investigated for carrying out acts of terrorism by divulging sensitive information to members of Boko Haram.

Justice B.O. Quadri gave the order following an ex-parte application filed by the DSS for an order to remand the suspect for 90 days pending conclusion of investigation.
Quadri reduced the 90 days to 45 days, saying that the law only allowed two months within which a suspect could be detained while investigations were ongoing.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the judge, however, added that the number of days could be reviewed upward where the court deemed it necessary.

“The applicant shall provide the court with an update of the investigation before the expiration of the 45 days; consequent upon such an update, the court might review the remand order upward where necessary.”

Mr O.J. Odu, counsel to the DSS who moved the application told the court that it was pursuant to Section 27 (1) of the Terrorism Prevention Act.