s DSS operatives

Nigeria secret police, the Department of State Security Services, DSS has released all the judges arrested during overnight raid on residences of judicial officers in different parts of the country between late last Friday and early Saturday morning.

DSS sources said the judges were released on self-recognition on Sunday night, but were asked to report back on Monday morning.

The judges, it was gathered must also report at the agency’s office when requested to as they are still under investigation.

The sources said the judges will be taken to court when all the processes are completed.

The judges arrested by the secret police after the raid include Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro, both of the Supreme Court;  the Pesiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division who has already been suspended, Justice Mohammed Tsamiya; Justice Kabiru Auta of the Kano State High Court and Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Also arrested by DSS operatives were a former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A. Umezulike, and Muazu Pindiga of the Federal High Court, Gombe Division.

Abdullahi Garba, spokesperson for DSS told journalists that the judges were arrested over allegations of corruption.

Garba said, “the Service action is in line with its core mandate, as we have been monitoring the expensive and luxurious lifestyle of some of the Judges as well as complaints from the concerned public over judgment obtained fraudulently and on the basis of amounts of money paid.

“The judges involved were invited, upon which due diligence was exhibited and their premises searched.

“The searches have uncovered huge raw cash of various denominations, local and foreign currencies, with real estate worth several millions of Naira and documents affirming unholy acts by these Judges”.