By Daud Olatunji

ABEOKUTA—An Islamic cleric, Abdul-Ganiyu Jimoh Ibrahim, who was arrested by men of the Department of State Services, DSS, in July 2014 at his Ijoko-Ota residence in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state for allegedly being a member of Boko Haram sect, has been released.

The cleric was arrested on July 5, 2014, alongside his pregnant wife, Muinat Abdul-Ganiyu Ibrahim, and had been in DSS custody since, until his release yesterday at 11a.m.

His release was effected three months after Justice Folake Ogunbanjo of a Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, declared his continued incarceration illegal and unconstitutional.

It was carnival-like yesterday as family members, followers and well wishers thronged the premises of the Federal High Court to receive their relative and teacher, who was released to his lawyer, Ahmed Adetola-Kaseem and wife.

Shortly after the cleric and his wife were arrested in 2014, their whereabouts was unknown until after 64 days, when the wife was released from the Abeokuta office of DSS, as her Expected Delivery Date, EDD, approached.

DSS had earlier denied having any knowledge of the whereabouts of the cleric, until his wife was released to family members.

Court order

Justice Ogunbanjo had on June 18 declared the continued detention as an infringement on Fundamental Rights to Dignity of Person, Personal Liberty and Freedom of Movement as guaranteed by Section 34, 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.

Quoting Section 35 (6) of the constitution, Ogunbanjo also granted N1 million damages and public apology to the cleric.

The cleric, who looked frail yesterday, betrayed emotions as he wept profusely.

Efforts by journalists to speak with the victim was unsuccessful as he continued to say “let us just thank Allah who has allowed me to see this day. I will just thank Allah and appreciate all those who assisted me.”

I will not be able to speak much, let us just thank Allah; let us leave it at that.”

His solicitor, Adetola-Kaseem, who is also the Director, Prisoners Right Advocacy Initiative, bemoaned what he tagged selective compliance with court orders.

He said: “We just have to thank Allah like the cleric has said. Many people were arrested and died in custody; people do not even know where many detainees are.

‘’This particular cleric, nobody knew where he was for 64 days until his wife was released. That was when we knew where he was.

“We started the battle, got the judgement but it was not obeyed. At the appointed time, he was released. We are grateful.”