By Sadiq Umar – The Department of State Security Service on Thursday dismissed the rumoured death of Akanni Afolabi, a member of the Ekiti House of Assembly arrested by the service, claiming that the lawmaker is hale and hearty.
The DSS said Afolabi is being held over some security breaches and that his investigation is still going on.
A DSS official, Abdullahi Garba, who paraded the Ekiti lawmaker before Journalists in Abuja, debunked the rumour that he was dead, saying it was necessary to do so because the rumour making the round in Ekiti.
Earlier, Commissioner for Information, Youths and Sports Development, Lanre Ogunsuyi, had demanded that the DSS should clarify the rumoured death of Afolabi in its custody.
Mr. Ogunsuyi accused the DSS of unlawfully detaining Mr. Akanni since March 4 by the Service in defiance of a court order ordering his release.
“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.”
But Mr. Garba dismissed the claims saying, “You can see that Akanni Afolabi is hale and hearty.
“Nigerians and Ekiti people in particular are convinced to see that Afolabi is hale and hearty as being presented to the press today,” he said.
He also said the service had not received any court order for his release.
“The DSS, therefore, warns all those who have planned to make a meat out of this to desist from it and steer clear from trouble,” he said.
Mr. Garba assured Ekiti residents of adequate security and urged them to go about their normal businesses.
Afolabi who was wearing a Jalabia dress was looking feeble during the Press Conference.
