"Ekiti lawmaker in DSS detention is alive but sick," Party confirms

dimeji akinloye

March 17, 2016 6:09 PM

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) confirmed via Twitter that Akanni is not dead but sick.

One of the Ekiti States lawmakers, Afolabi Akanni, who was

The Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Youths and Sports Development, Lanre Ogunsuyi, had announced the death of the legislator at anemergency press conference today, March 17, 2016.

“Information reaching us indicates that one of the abducted members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Afolabi Akanni has died in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS),” Ogunsuyi said in a statement posted on Facebook.

However, contrary to the death news, the PDP's tweet reads: "Afolabi Akanni, the Ekiti state assembly lawmaker in DSS custody is alive but sick."

It was gathered that Akanni was presented to journalists at the DSS headquarters in Abuja to prove that he is alive.

Eyewitnesses said the lawmaker could barely walk on his own - apparently as a result of ill-health.

According to the Ekiti government, Akanni was unlawfully arrested and detained by the DSS since March 4, 2016, and a court order directing his release since March 11 was ignored by the security agency.

The lawmaker was allegedly denied access to his family members, doctors and lawyers.

Defending the DSS action, the spokesman for the agency, Abdullahi Garba, said that Akanni was arrested for some serious breaches bordering on state security.

“You may have been aware of the recent situation in Ekiti state in which the DSS was accused of abducting the state assembly legislators,” he said.

“The fact is that one of the members of the assembly Hon Akanni Afolabi was duly invited by the service over some serious breaches bordering on state security, and for which he has some explanations to make. These breaches fall under the purview of the DSS to investigate.

“This press conference has become necessary in order to debunk a rumour which is being dangerously spread in Ekiti state by some mischief makers to the effect that Afolabi has died in custody. Nigerians and Ekiti people in particular are convinced to see that Afolabi is hale and hearty as he is being presented to the press today.”

On why the DSS has not released the lawmaker after a court ordered his release, Garba said the agency did not get the court order.

dimeji akinloye