DSS Pays N10 Million Compensation To Businessman Detained Nearly Three Years Without Trial

The Department of State Services (DSS) has paid the sum of N10 million in compensation to Abdulyakini Salisu, a businessman who was unlawfully held in detention for close to three years without being arraigned in any court of law.

Salisu, the proprietor of a quarry situated along the Zuba–Kaduna Expressway, was recently granted freedom after persistent legal pressure mounted by his counsel, human rights advocate Barrister Deji Adeyanju.

Speaking to Chronicles Reporters on Saturday night, Adeyanju confirmed that the payment was part of a negotiated settlement with the DSS, which also included a pledge to provide support for Salisu’s business operations that had suffered due to the prolonged detention.

According to Adeyanju, his legal firm secured the N10 million compensation in addition to a verbal commitment by the DSS to assist in the recovery and rehabilitation of Salisu’s business. He stressed that this matter is one among several other cases of unlawful detention being pursued by his team across the country.

He noted that this isn’t the first instance where the current DSS leadership has agreed to financially compensate victims of arbitrary detention. However, he explained that confidentiality agreements with clients have so far prevented them from revealing more such cases.

Adeyanju praised the current leadership of the DSS for acknowledging past injustices and showing a willingness to offer redress. He added that opting for compensation was a strategic move taken after deliberation with clients, considering the difficulty in enforcing monetary judgments against government entities.

“We were able to negotiate N10 million in compensation for our client and also obtained a commitment from the DSS to help restore his business which suffered during his illegal and prolonged detention. This case is just one of many we are handling involving prolonged detentions,” Adeyanju stated.

“This isn’t the first time that the new DSS leadership has agreed to settle with our clients. However, due to strict client instructions, we cannot disclose details of other cases. Nonetheless, we appreciate the effort of the current DSS leadership in acknowledging their faults and making efforts to correct them,” he added.

He further explained, “Our approach to seek compensation is born out of the realization that securing actual monetary judgments against government bodies is often fraught with complications, so we negotiate what’s achievable for our clients.”

Earlier, Chronicles Reporters had published that Salisu had regained freedom after being detained by the DSS since 2022.

A relative of the businessman confirmed on Saturday that Salisu’s wife had finally been able to see him for the first time since his sudden disappearance over two years ago. The family attributed the breakthrough to media coverage and Adeyanju’s legal interventions.

“Following the report by Chronicles Reporters and the relentless work of Barrister Deji Adeyanju, Salisu’s wife was invited to the DSS headquarters in Abuja,” the family source said.

“As I speak, Salisu has been freed. They are just waiting for Barrister Deji to finalize the bail process. We are grateful,” the source continued.

A senior official within the DSS had earlier disclosed to Chronicles Reporters that Salisu developed several health issues while in detention. Despite that, he was not released earlier because the agency feared a potential lawsuit, especially as nothing incriminating was found against him after extensive investigations.

In fact, a separate source confirmed that Salisu’s case handler had openly stated that the businessman was not guilty of any offence, yet the DSS was reluctant to release him out of concern for possible legal consequences.

Another insider previously told Chronicles Reporters that even among DSS personnel, there was unease about how Salisu’s case was being mishandled.

Speaking on Thursday, Salisu’s wife recalled to Chronicles Reporters how the family initially thought he had been kidnapped when he was whisked away from Kaduna in 2022. She lamented that she hadn’t seen him since the arrest.

The DSS has long faced criticism over its pattern of illegal detentions, often keeping individuals in custody for extended periods without filing charges or granting access to legal representation.

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