By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
THE family of Lukman Oricha, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the 11-month detention without trial of their son allegedly arrested by operatives of Department of Security Service (DSS) in Ajaokuta steel township.
The family implored President Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to prevail on the DSS to either take him to Court for prosecution or release him rather than detaining him endlessly.
Addressing journalists in Lokoja on Sunday, the biological father of Lukman Oricha, Mallam Yusuf said, Lukman’s continuous detention without trial was a clear violation of his fundamental human right.
Mallam Yusuf explained that on February 6, 2025 his son voluntarily honoured an invitation from the head of DSS in Ajaokuta and was allowed to return home.
He lamented that the next day which was February 7, 2025 his son was arrested at his residence, flat 25B road E9, Kaduna estate in Ajaokuta around 12:30 a.m by a DSS team led by Ajaokuta head of the Service.
According to him, when Lukman Oricha and his wife demanded the reason for the arrest, the DSS personnel assured the family that they would get back to them, stressing that since then the DSS have not provided any information.
He lamented that his son has been detained incommunicado for close to one year without being charged with any offence or brought before a court of law.
“All effort by the family members, President of Ebira Youth Congress (EYC) and several lawyers to ascertain the reason for his arrest met constant denial from DSS office in Lokoja and Abuja.
“This unlawful detention of my son has triggered a catastrophic humanitarian crisis for me and my entire household.
“This include; severe disruption of his children’s education, forcing a change of school among other piteous situations affecting the family due to the absence of their bread winner”, he stated.
Mallam Yusuf therefore appealed to President Tinubu, Governor Ododo and relevant authorities to prevail on DSS for the release of his son or ensure his trial in the law court.
He urged that, if there are no evidence against him, he should be released. (Ends)