“I was beaten, stripped, and threatened by DSS”: Terrorism suspect tells court her confession was forced

A woman standing trial over alleged terrorism and illegal arms dealing, Asmau Omar, told a Federal High Court in Ibadan that her so-called confessional statement was obtained under extreme duress and should not be admitted as evidence.

Omar made the allegation during a trial-within-trial before Justice Nkeonye Maha, following objections raised by her counsel, Mr. Seun Agunloye, over the admissibility of the statements presented by the prosecution.

The case, prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS), involves Omar and three officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) — Olamide Okesola, Adeleke Adewale, and Emmanuel Olatunji.

They are facing a 15-count amended charge including conspiracy, terrorism, unlawful arms dealing, and aiding terrorism.

All four defendants have rejected the extra-judicial statements tendered against them, insisting they were not made voluntarily.

Through a Hausa interpreter, Omar told the court how she was physically and psychologically abused while in DSS custody.

> “On the day they put me in the cell, they removed my dress and I had to sleep with only my short underwear,” she recounted.

“Then, they started beating me because I did not say what they wanted me to say.”

She further alleged that DSS operatives threatened to kill her unless she confessed.

> “They beat me further and told me that they will kill me if I don’t cooperate with them,” she said.

“For not complying with them, they chained my legs and hung me.”

Responding to a video presented in court earlier in February, Omar said she was seen smiling only when agents returned her clothes.

> “I was smiling only at the point when the DSS operatives were giving me the clothes they took from me. I was not the one that drank the Fanta drink you saw me holding in the video clip.”

Co-defendant Olamide Okesola also alleged coercion, telling the court he was hung and beaten with an iron rod before being forced to sign a confession.

He said he was not given access to a lawyer or family member during interrogation.

Adeleke Adewale shared a similar account, claiming that his legs and hands were shackled, and that DSS operatives dictated the contents of the statement he eventually signed.

Likewise, Emmanuel Olatunji admitted writing the statement in question but claimed it was made under pressure.

During cross-examination by prosecuting counsel Mr. T.A. Nurudeen, all four defendants acknowledged that multiple investigations were conducted by the NSCDC Oyo State Command, the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja, and the DSS, before the charges were filed.

Justice Maha adjourned the matter to December 4 for the adoption of written addresses by both parties.

NAN