Freed Al-Jazeera journalists won’t withdraw suit against Army

Two Al Jazeera journalists who were on Sunday released by the Nigerian military after 12 days in detention have vowed to maintain their suits they initially filed while they were in custody.

Messrs Ahmed Idris and Ali Mustapha had through their lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), filed a fundamental human rights enforcement suit demanding their release from unlawful detention where they had been held since March 24 in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Falana, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone on Monday, said in view of the release of his clients, he might have to amend the suit already filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, to seek for damages.

“I am in touch with my clients – the journalists and the management of Al Jazeera – they thanked Nigerians for their support and they have instructed me to go to court to ask for damages,” the lawyer said. Saying that by virtue of section 35(6) of the Constitution, the two journalists, as Nigerians, were entitled to public apology for their unlawful detention.

However, following the institution of a fundamental rights application at the Federal High Court at Abuja to secure the immediate release of the journalists last week the Army authorities hurriedly transferred them to the Department of State Security(DSS). Yesterday, the DSS set them at liberty without any conditions. They have since regained their freedom.

...Punch