The Federal High Court, Abuja, has lashed out on the Department of State Services, DSS, for the continued detention of Umar Mohammed, a retired Air Commodore and member of the presidential team investigating the arms deal in the country.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba said this on Wednesday while delivering judgment in a suit filed by Emeka Ohazurike and 19 others.

He said that the continued detention of the suspect the DSS, even after he had met his bail conditions was illegal and an assault on the judiciary.

Dimgba asked the counsel to the DSS, Shimana Adzer, to convey the message to the security outfit.

The DSS had arraigned Mohammed over allegations of money laundering, possession of fire arms and violation of Official Secret Act.

Mohammed had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was admitted to bail in the sum of N100 million.

However, several months after he had met his bail requirements, the DSS has refused to release the former Air officer.

Ohazurike and his group of human rights activists then sued the DSS for alleged violation of the fundamental human rights of Mohammed.

They asked the court to declare that the arrest and detention of Mohammed was unlawful, unconstitutional, malicious and an abuse of his rights to human dignity.

The group who said they were acting on behalf of Mohammed also sought an order directing the DSS to release the defendant.

They also wanted the court to order the DSS to pay N500 million damages to Mohammed as well as publish an apology to him in at least two national newspapers.

Justice Dimgba, however, held that since he was certain that Mohammed did not authorize the suit, he could not grant the reliefs of money and an apology being sought for by the plaintiffs.