The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, granted an interim order sought by the State Security Service to detain Emmanuel Osase, a Nigerian suspected to be a member of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), for 60 days.

Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order after counsel for the SSS, A.A. Ugee, moved the ex-parte motion to the effect.

When the matter was called, Mr Ugee informed the court of the application.

He said the motion ex-parte marked FHC/ABJ/CS/409/2024 was brought pursuant to Section 66(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

He prayed the court for an order enabling the security outfit to detain Osase for 60 days pending the conclusion of the investigation.

The judge, who granted the application, adjourned until June 3 for a report.

Mr Osase, who was arrested on March 11, was accused of propagating the messages of the terrorist group, opposing the democratic system of government in Nigeria and calling for terrorist attacks on Nigeria and its symbols of sovereignty.

In affidavit dated March 27 and deposed to by Ahmad Abubakar, an SSS operative, attached to the Legal Service Department, National Headquarters, Abuja, he averred that the release of the suspect could jeopardise investigation.

He added that Mr Osase was arrested by a team of SSS “for alleged membership and propagation of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist messages, including opposition to democratic system of government and the call for staging terrorists attacks against Nigeria State and its symbols of sovereignty.”

Mr Abubakar stated that Mr Osase was jailed for five years for terrorism-related offences in France and was deported after the completion of his sentence.

He explained that from the SSS’ preliminary investigation, Mr Osase, who is an ex-convict, was still engaged in terrorist activities, which previously led to his conviction in France.

He said Mr Osase appeared not to have renounced his terrorist ideologies, “as he continues to engage with the proscribed pro-ISIS online media group known as al-Alawn Media Foundation, whose main objectives is the creation and dissemination of terrorist content and the promotion of terrorist attacks against democratic systems of government such as Nigeria and the western governments, including their interests across the globe.”

He said the suspect, who was born in Abuja, “left Nigeria for France and never returned to Nigeria until his deportation after completion of five years’ jail term for acts of terrorism and attempt to join the Islamic State (IS) linked terrorist group, Friqat Al-Ghuraba (Group of Foreigners) in Syria.”

Mr Abubakar said his activities constituted a potent threat to national security and Nigeria’s corporate existence.

According to him, the respondent is helping with vital information that will lead to the arrest of other members who are still at large.

He said it would be in the interest of justice and national security to grant the application.

(NAN)