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Raymond Dokpesi,
the director general of Ibrahim Babangida’s presidential campaign
organisation, maintained at a Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday
that he had no connection with the Independence Day bomb blast which
killed 19 people.

The State Security
Service (SSS) had detained Mr Dokpesi shortly after two car bombs
exploded in Abuja on October 1. The service defended its questioning of
Mr Dokpesi, saying he had exchanged texts messages with some of the
persons suspected of complicity in the twin blasts.

Mr Dokpesi is suing
the service over the interrogation, which lasted several hours. He is
seeking a declaration that his arrest and detention were unlawful and a
violation of his rights. The SSS warned that if the court intervened in
the matter, it would tie up the hands of the service and impede its
efforts to promote national security.

Counsel to the SSS
and the Attorney General of the Federation, Alex Izinyion, said the
service was statutorily empowered to invite any person for questioning
on matters of national security. He said Mr Dokpesi had been invited to
clarify a statement made by Edmond Ebiware, a suspect arrested in
connection with the attack. Mr Ebiware said he had met Mr Dokpesi some
days before the attacks and claimed he received N4 million from him.

“In the process of
his investigation, Mr Dokpesi was granted bail and requested to show up
for further investigation,” said Mr Izinyon.

Dokpesi lays it bare

However, Kanu
Agabi, counsel to Mr Dokpesi, said his client was not aware of the
person referred to in the text messagse, noting that there were several
persons bearing the name Dokpesi.

“As such he is
seeking a declaration that since he is not involved in or in any way
associated with the person or persons, organisation or organisations
responsible for the bomb blast … He has committed no offence to
warrant his continued arrest or detention or questioning or harassment
or intimidation by 1st Respondent as a suspect in that connection,”
said Mr Agabi.

He urged the court
to dismiss the suit as “frivolous and constituting gross abuse of
judicial process.” Furthermore, Mr Agabi wanted a declaration that the
service’s arrest, detention, harassment and undue questioning
constituted a gross violation of Mr Dokpesi’s rights and was unlawful
and unconstitutional.

At the resumed
hearing of the matter on Thursday, Mr Agabi, said that he needed more
time to file a response to an earlier affidavit filed by SSS
challenging Mr Dokpesi’s claim that the service had violated his
fundamental human rights. Mr Izinyon also sought an extension of time
to file his objection and written addresses, in opposition to Mr
Dokesi’s claims. The presiding Judge, Abdullahi Kafarati adjounrned the
matter to December 8, for adoption of addresses.