Ekiti Lawmaker Dies In DSS Detention

Ekiti State government has announced the death of member of the state’s House of Assembly in the detention of the Directorate of State Services, Tribune reports

The Commissioner for Information, Youth Sports and Culture, Mr Lanre Ogunsuyi, who made the announcement in a press conference on Thursday, said although the DSS had held him incommunicado since March 4th, “our contacts in the DSS told us that he is dead.”

According to Ogunsuyi, “we were told that he developed an ailment last night and he died by morning. The DSS had denied him access to his family, his doctor or to anyone that knows him.”

The Commissioner for Information said they were however, waiting for the DSS to confirm or deny the death of Akanni or produce him for his people to see.”

A statement read by Ogunsuyi said: “Information reaching us indicates that one of the abducted members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Honourable Afolabi Akanni, has died in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).”

The statement added: “Significantly, since his illegal detention, he has been held incommunicado without access to his family members, doctors and lawyers.

“We call on the DSS to immediately clarify the situation as to the status (dead or alive) of Hon. Afolabi Akanni, representing Efon Constituency by producing him physically for all Nigerians, particularly his immediate family to see.

“While we are waiting for the DSS, we urge every resident of Ekiti State, particularly the people of his immediate constituency in Efon, to remain calm.”