A Warri-based Lawyer, human rights activist and teacher, Barr. Tareri Avwomakpa, who supported Apostle Johnson Suleiman last month was charged to court on Tuesday by the Department of State Security Service, DSS.

Appearing before a Magistrate court at Asaba, the Delta state capital, the IPO noted that the accused committed the offence under section 59 criminal code Act (5).

The accused, Barrister Avwomakpa, who is the son of popular preacher, Archbishop Avwomakpa, CAN chairman, South-South Zone had earlier been arrested and detained for three days by the Department of State Security Service for allegedly mobilising support for Apostle Johnson Suleiman during the attempt to arrest him in Ekiti state.

The charge against Avwomaklpa is that he has been publishing and circulating false news, rumours and reports in the social media about the invitation of Apostle Johnson Suleiman for a chat with the DSS against the Federal Government, State Security Agencies, and other security agencies which are likely to cause fear, alarm to the public and disturb public peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 759 of the criminal code law.

Lawyer to the DSS and their IPO told the court their readiness to open their case as the IPO entered the witness box and told the court that through whatsApp, the accused mobilized Christians to accompany Apostle Johnson Suleiman for a procession to the DSS office in Abuja.

He further went on to tender some internet/computer printout document which contained different forms of online communications and reactions concerning the defects of the Nigerian government which the accused said he knew nothing about.

The NBA Chairman, Asaba branch Chukwu Ebu and Barr. Kunle Edun, Vice Chairman of the NBA, Warri branch who led a team of 13 other lawyers objected vehemently to the admissibility of the documents. According to Edun, there was no foundation laid for the admissibility of such document and that the prerequisite for admitting electronically generated document was not complied with.

He told the court that the document was not in proper shape as recommended by section 84 of the Evidence Act as well as the principles laid down by the Court of Appeal in Kubor v. Dickson.

When the matter came up on Tuesday the Magistrates Court 1, Asaba was filled with pastors and Christians including Archbishop Goddowell Avwomakpa who told journalists that the judiciary is the last hope of all citizens of the country and pray the court to ensure quick dispensation of justice.

Meanwhile Chukwu Ebu, NBA chairman, Asaba branch who spoke to journalists after the court session noted that the entrenchment of principles of respect for human rights and democratic principles must be upheld especially by security agencies as they carry out their activities. He described the arrest of Barrister Tarire Avwomakpa as oppression and impunity taken too far and noted that the national body of NBA has been informed and that the matter will be pursued to its logical end.

A lawyer who pleaded anonymity noted that since the matter is in court,  Section 59 of the criminal code under which they charge the accused provides as follows, “Any person who publishes or reproduces any statement, rumour or report which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturb the public peace, knowing or having reason to believe that such statement, rumours, or report is false shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and liable on conviction to imprisonment for three years”  But Ebu countered the argument when he noted “it has been affirmed that Apostle Johnson Suleiman was invited by the DSS so where is the rumour and false allegations that the DSS based their arrest of Tarire on, the NBA chairman of Asaba branch noted. The Magistrate Dike Ferdinand Isodi however adjourned the matter to March 17.