Pius Awoke, an Ebonyi-based legal practitioner, has shared his harrowing experience of being detained for three years without trial by the Department of State Services (DSS). Awoke was arrested on July 26, 2021, while returning from attending the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in Abuja.
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In an exclusive interview with UCHENNA INYA of The Sun Newspaper, Awoke recounted how his vehicle was intercepted by the military at a checkpoint on the Abuja-Lokoja Expressway.
The DSS officials searched the vehicle and the occupants’ phones, looking for specific numbers. Despite not finding any incriminating evidence, Awoke and his companions were arrested, tied up, and taken to the DSS headquarters in Lokoja.
Awoke’s explanation that he was a lawyer returning from court fell on deaf ears. The following day, they were blindfolded and transferred to the DSS office in Abuja. For five days, they were not informed of their offenses and were subjected to degrading treatment, including being splashed with urine to “neutralize any charms.”
During his three-year detention, Awoke was held incommunicado in various cells in Kogi, Abuja, and Niger State. He was never arraigned before any court or granted access to a lawyer. His family members, friends, and colleagues were unaware of his whereabouts until his release on June 21, 2024.
Awoke described the deplorable conditions in the cells, including malnutrition, denial of water, and lack of basic hygiene. He expressed concern for the numerous Igbo youths and other detainees languishing in DSS custody without any legal representation or hope of release.
Upon his release, Awoke found his family living in a dilapidated public yard, having been ejected from their previous residence. His wife had been selling fufu to sustain the family during his absence. Awoke lost all his clients and is currently relying on the support of friends, colleagues, and relatives to cope with the aftermath of his ordeal.
As a lawyer, Awoke is appalled by the impunity and lawlessness prevalent in the Nigerian system. He plans to seek medical attention and consult with his colleagues before deciding on his next course of action.
Awoke emphasizes that he is not a member of IPOB and had attended Nnamdi Kanu’s trial out of professional curiosity. He remains uncertain about the objectives and effectiveness of the sit-at-home protests in the South East, as he was unaware of them during his detention.
The harrowing experience of Pius Awoke highlights the urgent need for justice system reforms and the protection of the rights of detainees in Nigeria. The arbitrary detention and denial of due process to citizens, including legal practitioners, is a grave concern that demands immediate attention and action from the authorities.
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