Tor Tiv Sends Delegation to DSS Boss, Seeks Release of Ex-Gov Suswam

The paramount ruler of the Tiv Traditional council and the Tor Tiv V, Prof James Ayatse, has sent a high power delegation headed by a first class Chief Tor Jechira, Chief Clement Uganden to visit the Director General of the Department of States Security Service (DSS), Lawal Daura over the continued detention of former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam.

Tor Jechira was accompanied by Ter Ukum, Chief Teran Kwaghbo, Ter Logo, Chief Jimmy Meeme and Ter Katsina/Ala Chief Fezanga Wombo.

Suswam has been in DSS custody since February 25, 2017 when he was invited by the service for some interactions over alleged discovery of firearms in his car in Dunes, Maitama, Abuja.

A member of the delegation who sought anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, told our correspondent that the essence of the visit was to see their son as well as the DSS boss and find out what is actually the case against their son and to report same to the Tor Tiv Ayatse as directed by the Tiv Traditional Council,TTC.

But Suswam, who is still in DSS custody, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to seek for a redress, asking the court to order his unconditional release from detention.

The ex-governor’s request is contained in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed before the court.

Beside monetary compensation, Suswam has also asked for order directing the respondents to tender public apology to him in seven national dailies of very wide circulation for the “illegal arrest and detention.”

Suswam is further asking the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the DSS and its agents from torturing him and if proven that he had been tortured, the court should “nullify any statements, documents or other materials that may have been extracted or obtained” from him under “such unwholesome and constitutionally prohibited circumstances.”