THE Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, ordered the Department of State Services to release the five youths arrested at Dunamis International Gospel Centre on July 4 for allegedly wearing T-shirts with the inscriptions #BuhariMustGo.
Justice Anwuli Chikere gave the order following separate ex parte applications filled on their behalf by their lawyer, Mr Tope Temokun.
The applicants, Ben Manasseh, Anene Udoka, Henry Nwodo, Samuel Larry and Samuel Gabriel,had filed their separate suits at the Federal High Court, Abuja
The judge said the applicants should be released with immediate effect.
The applicants had sued the DSS, President Muhammadu Buhari, the church’s pastor-in-charge, Pastor Paul Enenche and others for alleged unlawful arrest and detention.
They urged the court to declare their arrest and detention unlawful and award N10 million, each, in damages, for the violation of their fundamental rights.
Their lawyer had argued that his clients were entitled to the fundamental right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, right to freedom of expression and the press, right to freedom from discrimination and right to personal liberty.
Other defendants include the Director-General of the DSS, Mr Yusuf Bichi and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN).
The matter has been adjourned until Aug. 2 for hearing.
