The Ekiti State government has issued an emergency press statement saying that a state lawmaker, Afolabi Akanni has died in the custody of Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Security Services (DSS, also known as SSS).
According to the statement which was delivered to The Trent by email, Akanni has been in unlawful detention by the DSS after he was abducted from the State’s House of Assembly on March 4, 2016. Since his abduction, Akanni has not been seen by his lawyer, doctor, or family members.
The state government, speaking through the commissioner for Information, Youth, and Sports Development, Lanre Ogunsuyi called on Nigeria’s draconian secret police to provide proof of life for Mr. Akanni or confirm his death.
The DSS has also disobeyed a court order for his release.
The full statement is below:
BEING THE FULL TEXT OF EMERGENCY PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE EKITI STATE GOVERNMENT ON THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016
Gentlemen of the Press,
Information reaching us indicates that one of the abducted members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Afolabi Akanni has died in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
It will be recalled that the honourable member has been unlawfully incarcerated in DSS custody since March 4, 2016. A court order directing his release since March 11, 2016 was ignored by the DSS.
Significantly, since his illegal detention, he has been held incommunicado without access to his family members, doctors and lawyers.
We call on the DSS to immediately clarify the situation as to the status (dead or alive) of Hon Afolabi Akanni, representing Efon Constituency by producing him physically for all Nigerians, particularly his immediate family to see.
While we are waiting for the DSS, we urge every resident of Ekiti State, particularly the people of his immediate Constituency in Efon to remain calm.
Thank you.
Hon. Lanre Ogunsuyi,
Commissioner for Information, Youths and Sports Development.
