From Uzoh Nwakaije, Awka.
A group under the umbrella of Beverly Hills Recreation Sports Club, Nnewi, has appealed to the DSS to obey the order issued by a Lagos High Court which has directed the unconditional release of the Chairman of Capital Oil & Gas Industries Ltd, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah.
In a protest march, members of the club, who gathered at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Nnewi on Sunday, displaying placards with different inscriptions such as ‘DSS release Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, let him go’, ‘DSS, obey court process’, ‘Ifeanyi Ubah deserves justice’, ‘let the rule of law prevail,’ among others, moved towards Nkwo- Nnewi Triangle chanting solidarity songs in support of Dr Ifeanyi Ubah.
In a statement signed by the duo of Mr. George O. Adinnu (Kezico) and Mr. Christian Idoko, the Acting President and Secretary-General of the club respectively, the group condemned the continued detention of Dr.Ubah, after Justice Idris had given an order for his release.
They said, “We, the members of Beverly Hills Recreation Club, in strong terms, condemn the continued incarceration of our Prime Minister, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, the chairman of Capital Oil and Gas Industries Ltd., by the officers of the DSS, even against the directives of a Lagos High Court, issued on 25th May, 2017, ordering his release.
Part of the statement reads, “We wish to join force with all men and women of goodwill to ask for the unconditional release of Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah in the face of this intimidation and adjudged illegal detention by the DSS.
“We wish to state that we have no political inclination whatsoever. We have seen and feel the goodwill that Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah has shown to Nigerians to unite beyond ethnic and religious divide, thus the need for justice upon him”.
Continuing, it said, “We have watched with awe, the unwarranted detention of Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, and call on the DSS and its privies to conform to the ordinance of the rule of law, which guarantees justice, equity and fair play. The refusal of the DSS to respect a court order is unconstitutional and picks holes at the foundation of our legal system”.
The group also warned that nothing should happen to Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, as they alleged that some highly placed individuals and agencies have vowed to nail the oil magnate.