Court Releases Lady Illegally Arrested And Detained By DSS For 2 Years For Wearing Biafra-Themed Outfit

Gold, an activist from Akwa Ibom State, was unlawfully arrested by the police on 8 November 2021 and detained in Enugu. Her crime was wearing a Biafra-themed outfit.

A young Iady illegally detained by the Department of State Security for 2 years has been released by a court.

Idara Gold, the 20-year-old lady was arrested by the DSS for wearing a Biafra-themed outfit to celebrate her birthday.

Gold, an activist from Akwa Ibom State, was unlawfully arrested by the police on 8 November 2021 and detained in Enugu.

Her crime was wearing a Biafra-themed outfit.

The policemen were said to have browsed through her phone, Sahara Reporters reported.

When they saw a picture she had posted online wearing a Biafran attire to celebrate her 20th birthday, she was arrested and handed over to DSS in Enugu from where she was transferred to DSS Headquarters, Abuja.

“Since November 8th, 2021 to this day, the DSS has denied her access to her lawyer, family and friends, and have not charged her with any offence,” a human rights activist, Osimond Ugwu told SaharaReporters.

Ugwu stated that when her family approached an Abuja High Court seeking enforcement of her fundamental rights, DSS filed an affidavit, claiming that they had concluded their investigation into the matter in January 2022.

In the affidavit, the DSS told the court that it had transferred her to a military barracks in Kainji, Niger State, in February and her case file had been transferred to the federal ministry of justice.

Recalled that when Gold was arrested and detained for 11 months without having access to her family and lawyers, it created an outrage.