The Department of State Services’ request to further detain a Nigerian identified as Emmanuel Osase, accused of being a member of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), for another 60 days has been granted by a federal high court sitting in Abuja.
The approval was granted by Justice Inyang Ekwo on Wednesday, April 3, following an ex-parte motion brought by the DSS and marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/409/2024.
Osase was arrested on March 11 and was accused of propagating the messages of ISIS, opposing the democratic system of government in Nigeria and calling for terrorist attacks on Nigeria and its symbols of sovereignty.
It was further disclosed that Osase who was jailed for five years for terrorism-related offences in France and was deported after the completion of his sentence “was arrested by a team of personnel from the applicant’s office for alleged membership and propagation of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist messages, including opposition to the democratic system of government and the call for staging terrorist attacks against Nigeria state and its symbols of sovereignty.”
DSS stated that from its preliminary investigation, Osase was still involved in terrorist activities, adding that he still engages with a proscribed pro-ISIS online media group known as “al-Alawn Media Foundation.
The DSS said;
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the Respondent, who is an ex-convict, still engages in terrorist activities which previously led to his conviction in France;
“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;
“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 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;
“The activities of the respondent constitute a potent threat to national security and corporate existence of Nigeria.
“The release of the respondent at this time would jeopardize the investigation, as investigation has assumed a wider dimension; 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.
“The respondent is helping with vital information that will lead to the arrest of other members who are still at large.”
DSS’ lawyer, A. A Ugee had noted that the motion was brought pursuant to section 66(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022. He said the approval will help in concluding an ongoing investigation in a case of terrorism involving the suspect.
Justice Ekwo subsequently adjourned the case till June 3 for report of further development in the case.