A Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded an ex-convict and suspected member of the dreaded Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, Emmanuel Osase, for 60 days.
The trial judge in the matter, Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo, gave the order on Wednesday while ruling in a motion ex-parte argued by the Department of State Service (SSS) on the issue.
Osase was arrested on March 11 after he was accused of propagating the messages of the terrorist group, opposing the democratic system of government in Nigeria, and calling for terrorist attacks on Nigeria and its symbols of sovereignty.
From available records, he was earlier jailed for five years for terrorism-related offences in France and was deported after the completion of his sentence.
According to the DSS in an affidavit dated March 27, 2024, and deposed to by its personnel in the Legal Service Department, Abuja, Ahmad Abubakar, it said the service’s preliminary investigation showed that Osase was still involved in terrorist activities.
The affidavit further said: ” That the Respondent appeared not to have renounced his terrorist ideologies, as he continues to engage with the proscribed pro-ISIS online media group known as “al-Alawn Media Foundation” whose main objectives is the creation and dissemination of terrorist content and the promotion of terrorist attacks against Democratic Systems of Government such as Nigeria and the Western Governments including their interests across the globe;
“That the Respondent who was born in the Federal Capital Territory left Nigeria for France and never returned to Nigeria until his deportation after completion of a five-year jail term in France for acts of terrorism and attempt to join the Islamic State (IS) linked terrorist group, Friqat Al-Ghuraba (Group of Foreigners) in Syria.”
The DSS stated that the respondent upon sighting operatives of the service formatted his phone.
The affidavit further said, ” That the Respondent at the point of arrest, formatted his mobile device to factory settings upon sighting security agents ostensibly to wipe out any suspicious contents on the device and cover up his nefarious activities;
“That the activities of the Respondent constitute a potent threat to National Security and corporate existence of Nigeria;”
He, however, urged the court to grant the request of the service, adding there was a need to painstakingly probe the respondent to ensure he does not constitute a security treat to the country and world at large.
” That the release of the Respondent at this time would jeopardize the investigation, as investigation has assumed a wider dimension;
“That there is a need for a thorough investigation of the suspect to ensure that he does not pose any security threat to Nigeria or the world at large.
“That the Respondent is helping with vital information that will lead to the arrest of other members who are still at large,” the affidavit stated.
During proceedings in the case, counsel for the DSS, Mr A. A Ugee told the court that the matter was brought pursuant to section 66(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
He prayed the court for an order enabling the DSS to detain Osase for 60 days pending the conclusion of investigation.
In a ruling, Justice Ekwo, a vacation judge, granted the prayer of the DSS.
He said, “Upon studying the averments in the affidavit, I hereby grant the relief as prayed.”
The Judge subsequently adjourned the matter till June 3, 2024.
