Arrested NANS President Files Lawsuit Against Seyi Tinubu and DSS, Seeks ₦38.3 Billion in Compensation
Get ready for some legal drama, folks! The flamboyant Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah, President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has taken matters into his own hands and filed a jaw-dropping lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking over ₦38 billion in damages.
The lawsuit, filed on May 14, 2025, and marked Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/966/2025, lists some heavy hitters as respondents—the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Director of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and none other than President ****Bola Tinubu's son, Seyi Tinubu!
Riding shotgun for Comrade Isah (let's call him AI from now on) are legal eagles Ugwueze I. Oduegbu and R.O. Ifebhor of Ajunwa & Co. They want the court to issue a slew of declarations and orders, including:
- A declaration that AI's alleged abduction, unlawful detention for over 15 days, and continued incarceration without charge constitute a gross violation of his rights to freedom of movement under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.
- A declaration that the alleged torture, brutal beating, stabbing, and psychological trauma inflicted on AI amount to inhuman and degrading treatment under Section 34 of the Constitution and Articles 5 and 16 of the African Charter.
- An order for his immediate and unconditional release from DSS custody.
- An injunction restraining the respondents from further acts of kidnapping, torture, detention, and threats to his life.
Not content with just getting out of jail, AI is also demanding some sweet monetary compensation, to the tune of:
- ₦32.87 billion in general damages
- ₦5.5 billion in exemplary damages
- 20% compounded interest on the judgment sum until full payment or deposit into an interest-yielding court account.
The Lowdown: A Violent Tussle and a Whirling Case of Disappearance
AI's lawsuit stems from a vicious leadership squabble within NANS. During his inauguration at the Wells Carlton Hotel in Abuja, AI was allegedly attacked by a rival faction of the student body, apparently backed by political bigwigs, including Seyi Tinubu.
Following the attack, AI was receiving medical treatment at a DSS clinic when, according to AI, he was taken away by DSS operatives. His whereabouts have been shrouded in mystery ever since.
Cries from the Heart: The Family Speaks Out
In an interview with SaharaReporters, a member of AI's family voiced their concerns over his mysterious disappearance and deteriorating health, describing the DSS's actions as "bandit-like."
"Why are the DSS operating like bandits? They whisked away a man who was nearly killed, while those responsible for the attack are walking free. Since they took him, we've had no word," the relative lamented.
The family added that AI's wife and daughter are traumatized by his sudden disappearance and are demanding answers.
Stay tuned as the court sets a date for the hearing, and let's see how this case unfolds, rocking the mighty institutions of Nigeria and its political elite!
[1] "Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah files N38 billion suit for rights violation, unlawful detention." seemednasian.com. 2025-05-14. [Online]. Available: https://www.seemednasian.com/nigeria-nig/comrade-atiku-abubakar-isah-files-n38-billion-suit-for-rights-violation-unlawful-detention[2] "Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah files N38 billion lawsuit for rights violation." SaharaReporters. 2025-05-14. [Online]. Available: https://saharareporters.com/2025/05/14/comrade-atiku-abubakar-isah-files-38bn-lawsuit-rights-violation[3] "Nigerian student leader files N38 billion lawsuit over alleged rights breaches." Al Jazeera. 2025-05-15. [Online]. Available: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/15/nigerian-student-leader-files-n38bn-lawsuit-over-alleged-rights-breaches[4] "National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President files ₦38 billion lawsuit after secret jailing, torture." Daily Trust. 2025-05-14. [Online]. Available: https://dailytrust.com/national-association-of-nigerian-students-nans-president-files-38bn-lawsuit-after-secret-jailing-torture[5] "NANS President sues DSS, NTA, Seyi Tinubu for alleged human rights abuses." Premium Times. 2025-05-14. [Online]. Available: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/526532-nans-president-sues-dss-nta-seyi-tinubu-for-alleged-human-rights-abuses.html
- The suit, filed by Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah, President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), alleges a massive violation of his rights against the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and even Seyi Tinubu.
- The lawsuit, seeking over ₦38 billion in damages, details an alleged abduction, unlawful detention, and continued incarceration without charge, as well as instances of torture, brutal beating, and psychological trauma.
- In the lawsuit, Comrade Isah requests a declaration that these actions constitute a violation of his rights to freedom of movement and the infliction of inhuman and degrading treatment.
- The legal team representing Comrade Isah is demanding an order for his immediate and unconditional release from DSS custody, as well as injunctions restraining the respondents from further acts of kidnapping, torture, detention, and threats to his life.
- The suit stems from a leadership squabble within NANS, where Comrade Isah was allegedly attacked during his inauguration, seemingly backed by political figures, and has been missing since being taken away by DSS operatives.
- Concerns over Comrade Isah's health and mysterious disappearance have been raised by his family, who perceive the DSS's actions as "bandit-like."
- The court case is set to create waves in Nigeria's General News, Crime & Justice sectors, possibly shedding light on political influence over student bodies and the actions of security agencies in the country.
