A Federal High Court in Dutse, Jigawa State, has ordered the Department of State Services to release a detained teenager, Walida Abdulhadi, and hand over one of its operatives, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, to the police for investigation.
The ruling follows allegations that the 16-year-old was abducted and sexually abused by the officer in 2023. The case has drawn widespread attention, particularly after it was revealed that the girl gave birth while in custody.
Delivering judgment, Justice Hassan Dikko directed that the teenager be freed without conditions and ordered the DSS to produce the officer for police investigation.
The court also faulted the agency for allegedly protecting the accused officer and ruled that it lacked the authority to investigate the matter internally.
“The conduct of the DSS in hiding and shielding an officer accused of this terrible crime is condemnable,” the judge declared.
Reacting to the decision, the family’s lawyer, Kabiru Adamu, said the judgment reinforces confidence in the judiciary.
“the ruling had restored hope in the judiciary.”
“We welcome this judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Dutse, Jigawa State, because it has confirmed that the court remains the last hope of the common man,” Adamu said.
The court’s decision follows earlier attempts by the DSS to block a magistrate court order directing the same action.
