How Osinbajo Confronted DSS Over Sowore’s Detention

How Osinbajo Confronted DSS Over Sowore’s Detention
Journalist Richard Akinnola detailed the incident in his new book.
Akinnola also revealed behind-the-scenes efforts on El-Zakzaky’s case.

A new book has shed light on how former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, confronted the Department of State Services (DSS) during the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari over its refusal to obey a court order directing the release of Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the book, I Write What I Like, written by veteran journalist Richard Akinnola, recounts the 2019 episode when Sowore remained in DSS custody despite multiple court orders mandating his release.

According to Akinnola, Osinbajo had privately expressed dissatisfaction with the DSS, warning that such open disregard for judicial authority could not happen under his watch.

Quoting the former Vice President, Akinnola wrote: “Osinbajo said he had a job to go back to after leaving office and he could not be around when such an order was being flouted. The DSS had told him that there could not be two presidents, a veiled reference to how Osinbajo, as acting president in 2018, sacked Lawal Daura as DG of DSS.”

Akinnola further narrated how he personally appealed to Osinbajo for more intervention, a move that eventually secured Sowore’s freedom.

“Nonetheless, I still decided to see him, so that he could put more pressure on his government, which he did that day, and Sowore was released the same day I came to see him,” Akinnola revealed.

The book also highlights other discreet efforts by Akinnola to secure justice in high-profile cases, including that of the detained Shi’ite leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

“Beyond the issue of advocacy, I sometimes explored back channels to get things done, like in the case of the then detained Shi’ite leader, El-Zakzaky, who was eventually granted bail through this method,” he wrote.

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