The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Tuesday summoned the Attorney General of the Federation and  Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Yusuf Bichi to appear before it on Monday next week to explain the reasons behind the continued detention of pro-democracy activist, Omoyele Sowore.

In a bench ruling which was delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo, the court ordered the duo to appear and show cause why it should not direct the unconditional release of Sowore from detention.

Justice Ekwo mandated the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court to immediately notify both the AGF and the DSS boss of its summon as well as the pending fundamental rights enforcement suit Sowore and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare initiated against them. 

Sowore and Bakare had in their suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1409/2019 alleged gross violation of their constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights.

They are also demanding an aggregate sum of N1 billion from the respondents as general and aggravated damages for their breached rights to personal liberty, dignity of person, fair hearing, family life, freedom of association and movement. 

The applicants also sought for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further violating their rights and they demanded for a public apology in five national dailies.

At the resumed proceeding, counsel to the applicants, Marshal Abubakar notified the court of a fresh ex-parte motion for Sowore to either be released from detention or produced by the DSS.