The Department of State Security, DSS, in Cross River State has denied detaining one Chief Maurice Omin Iso, the traditional chief of Esuku-Otu Ikot Ansa, Calabar, in its facility.
Recall that Justice Ifeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court Calabar, had ordered the secret police alongside the Cross River attorney general and commissioner for justice to produce him unfailingly on Wednesday 15 January 2025 in court.
Chief Maurice Omin Iso is said to have been in detention since 21st December 2024 on the directives of the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Cross River State, and is reportedly being held at a facility allegedly belonging to the DSS, from where he filed an action for the enforcement of his fundamental right to fair hearing, personal liberty and freedom of movement in the Federal High Court Calabar.
The monarch is reported to have won court cases involving lands and chieftaincy issues, against the Cross River State government, and was allegedly abducted from his home since 21 December 2024.
Counsel to Chief Iso’s, Justina Oka Obono-Obla said his team was in court Wednesday morning before Justice Ifeoma Ojukwu sitting in the Federal High Court No.1 Calabar concerning compliance with the order of the court dated Monday the 13 January 2025 in case no. FHC/CA/CS/3/2025.
The counsel disclosed that the DSS and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Cross River State did not produce Chief Maurice Omin Iso who was arrested by security operatives from his home in Esuku Otu Ikot Ansa Calabar Municipality on 21 December 2024.
However, the counsel to DSS, I.N Nwezor, told the court that his clients does not know anything about the Applicant, Chief Iso.
“The DSS doesn’t know anything about him. He is not of security interest to the DSS. The Applicant is unknown to the DSS.
“There was no petition against Chief Maurice Omin Iso, and DSS did not arrest him.”
The counsel from the Chambers of Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice , G.I Okem also told the Court that the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice were aware of a petition written by Okimasi Ojong & Co on behalf of Nkonib (Ikot Ansa) Qua Clan dated 10 December 2024 to the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 6 Headquarters Calabar, against Chief Maurice Omin Iso, Ntufam Donatus Etim and Prince Michael Ekpenyong on alleged cultism, abduction, attempted kidnapping, attempted murder of one Felix Eyo Iso Jnr and Michael Assim Ita.
The Court adjourned the case to 18 February 2025.