I Was In Detention For Two Year – Musa

The story of Garba Musa is one that will surprise many. Musa himself says he is as surprised as anyone else. He is yet to understand why he has spent two years in military and police cells without being charged to court. Though he was released two weeks ago, after spending 26 months in police cell, Musa has not been told what his offense was. He shared his story with Michael Oche

Musa said his ordeal began on May 24, 2011 when at about 3:30 am,  he was attacked inside his house located at Federal Low Cost, Bauchi, by unknown gunmen. He was lucky to have escaped alive, though with a broken arm and severe cuts on his bodies.

He was rushed to the Bauchi Specialist Hospital, but the hospital management was told to inform the police before he would be admitted.

A police extract obtained by our reporter with file number, SB:7000/BS/DTN/VOL…/10 dated 23, January, 2013 and signed by SP, Abdullahi S. Wase, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Nigerian Police Force, Dutsen Tanshi Division, Bauchi, states that, “immediately the said complainant (Musa Muhammed Ziyachaq, Musa’s neighbour) reported to the station, one F/No 467383 PC Muazzam Umar followed him to the hospital where he met the victim and also append his name F/No on the hospital card to enable the doctor commence treatment on the said victim.”

After the hospital got the go-ahead from the police, doctors battled to save Musa’s life. However, while still at the hospital receiving treatment, something curious happened.

Musa alleged that on June 24, 2011, a detachment of military personnel came to the hospital and arrested him. Though he said he was rather “abducted” because he was blindfolded and no notice was given either to the police IPO or his family, and no reason was given for the military action.

The police extract verified Musa’s claim. It states, “the victim (Musa) was not met at the hospital during subsequent visits by the IPO and there was no readily available information as to where relations moved him to for further treatment”.

Unknown to the police, Musa was not moved by relations for further treatment. Instead, he was taken to Lungi Barracks in Abuja by the military.

Musa alleged that, between June 28, 2011 and December 26, 2011, he was in the custody of Directorate of Defence Intelligence Agency, after which he was taken to Lagos and handed over to the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) where he spent another three months.

Thereafter, he was handed over to the police again in March 2012, where he was detained at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) office. He stayed there for nine months before he was again transferred to Lugbe Police station in December 2012.

After spending two years and two months in both military and police cells and the intelligence agencies, Musa said he is yet to be officially told what his crimes were, as he has not been charged to court.

He said of his experience, “it was a terrible experience. I was being moved around. The worst thing, nobody told me my offence. At the SARS office, we were fed once a day. Sometimes, I was allowed to have my bath once a week and I was having a health challenge. My stomach swelled up because of the attack on me. Later, I was moved to Zone 7 police station and later to Lugbe police station. Nobody told me my offence”.

In February, Musa through his counsel filed a case at the Federal High Court, Abuja, to challenge his continuous detention.

Musa, amongst other things, prayed the court to order the restraining of the respondents whether by themselves, servants, agents, employees, or privies from further arresting and detaining the applicant or harassing or intimidating him and an order to release the applicant from unlawful detention forthwith.

Damage in the sum of N500 million and a written apology by all the respondents to the applicant were demanded, after hearing the averments and submission of counsel for and against the applicant’s relief. Justice C. K Olotu on June 26, ordered that Musa be released from detention and a compensation of N10 million be paid to him.

However, his freedom never came until August 26, 2013.

“I felt relieved after I was released but such injustice is what I am yet to come to terms with. My business has crumbled in my absence. It was a tough time. What I have lost is unquantifiable but I need time to think what to do with my life. We will have to wait and see how the compensation will be paid”, he stated.