The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) – Interim Management Committee (IMC) has given the Department of State Services (DSS) 24 hours ultimatum to release five of its staff they arrested and detained.
The Association made the call in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary and Chairman Ifelodun Local Government Area (Kwara State), Prince Jide Ashonibare, on Tuesday in Abuja.
ALGON-IMC said the operatives of the DSS led by one Director named Yusuf Ibrahim stormed the Abuja office of the Association on Monday and arrested about five staff.
They accused Yusuf Ibrahim of conniving with ALGON-faction headed by Hon Alabi Akolade David, the controversial chairman of Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to perpetrate injustice against the association and its activities.
Recall that the Federal High Court restrained the Alabi Akolade David-led faction of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria from parading itself as the leaders of the association.
It was learnt, Alabi Akolade, was elected as the National President of ALGON in error. ALGON IMC claimed that Hon Kolade is not a Local Government Area (LGA) Chairman but Chairman, Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) created by the Lagos State government.
While condemning the arrest, the leadership of the IMC, described the action of the DSS as injustice taken so far against the leadership of the organization.
They said “Yusuf Ibrahim is collaborating with Alabi and others, to frustrate the activities of the association, it is a well known fact that the DSS is charged with the mandate of protecting and defending the Federal Republic of Nigeria against domestic threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of Nigeria, and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to both federal and state law-enforcement organs.
“It is however not supposed to aid illegality or dabble into civil a matter that is before a court of competent jurisdiction. The said officer also assumed adjudication and even interpreted the order of the Court the way it suits him, so disgusting!
“We don’t know what his interest is in this matter to the extent that disqualifying and questioning the existence of the IMC. We call on the Director General (DG DSS) to please call him to order.
“It is on good authority and information that Director Yusuf Ibrahim has involved himself fraudulently with Hon. Kolade Alabi who is not a bonafide member of the association; hence the reason he has been carrying out arrests and involving himself with dirty dealings thereby bringing disrepute to the good name of the service. We are however calling on the security service to allow the court carryout it duties appropriately; we hereby give them an ultimatum of 24 hours to release to us in good fate our staffs in their custody.” The statement read.
ALGON-IMC however appealed to Director General of the DSS Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi to intervene and ensure that justice is done to the illegally arrested staff of the association.
They further urged the Security Service to desist from harassing, intimidating and arresting legitimately employed staff discharging their day today responsibilities as assigned.
