SSS Invade Two Supreme Court Judges’ Houses, Make Arrest

Operatives of the Department of State Service between Friday night and the early hours of Saturday simultaneously invaded the houses of two Justices of the Supreme Court – Justices Walter Onnoghen and Sylvester Ngwuta – as well as two judges of the Federal High Court, Justices Adeniyi Ademola and Nnamdi Dimgba.

Justices Onnoghen, who is second in rank and most likely successor to the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, and Justice Ngwuta are neighbours at the Judicial Officers’ Quarters in Abuja, while Justices Ademola and Dimgba live next to each other at the Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.

It was learnt that the DSS operatives surrounded the judicial officers’ houses for hours before they eventually broke in at about 1am on Saturday.

After searching the houses, the security agents eventually took Justice Ademola away at about 5am on Saturday. SSS operatives allegedly beat up Justice Dimgba’s brother during the operation.

Close colleagues of the judges told The Punch that the security agents presented search warrants of doubtful authenticity with incorrect names.

The reasons for the invasion are not known yet and the DSS could not be reached for comments.

Justices Ademola and Dimgba have both ordered the release of suspects in the custody of the DSS.