A Federal High Court in Abuja has cleared the State Security Service (SSS) of allegations surrounding the detention and killing of Yusuf Lukman Omeiza, a suspected leader of the Islamic State-West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Kogi. Justice Musa Liman delivered the judgment, stating that the plaintiffs failed to provide sufficient evidence to support their claims that Omeiza was killed by the defendants.
The plaintiffs, Jimoh Yusuf and Mrs. Fati Mohammed, had filed a lawsuit against the SSS and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) over the alleged arrest, detention, and killing of Omeiza, who was taken into custody on October 1, 2015, in Okene, Kogi, for suspected terrorism-related offenses. The offenses included bank attacks and robberies in the area, resulting in the deaths of two policemen and the theft of millions of naira.
The plaintiffs sought declarations that Omeiza’s arrest, detention, and killing without a trial were unlawful and a breach of his fundamental right to life. They also requested compensation of N10 billion for the emotional pain and damages suffered by the family. However, the SSS counsel, Abdullahi Muhammad, argued that the plaintiffs’ case relied heavily on hearsay evidence, which is inadmissible in law.
During the trial, the plaintiffs’ sole witness admitted under cross-examination that the allegation of Omeiza’s killing was based on assumption, rather than direct observation or personal knowledge. The defense counsel emphasized that the plaintiffs failed to present any direct evidence or official documents confirming Omeiza’s death, including a death certificate, police report, or testimony from a medical professional.
Justice Liman ruled that the plaintiffs could not prove their claim that the suspect was killed by the defendants and refused to award the requested damages. Instead, the court awarded N100,000 in favor of the defendants. The judgment highlights the importance of evidence-based claims in legal proceedings and the need for plaintiffs to provide concrete proof to support their allegations.
The case against Omeiza stemmed from his alleged involvement in several robbery attacks in Kogi, including the robbery of First Bank Plc Okene, where two policemen were killed, and the theft of N24.7 million from the Adavi Local Government Area staff salary. The SSS had transferred Omeiza to a sister agency facility after his arrest, as corroborated by documentary evidence tendered during the trial by the Nigerian Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
