The Department of State Security (DSS) yesterday confirmed that the father of a terror fugitive, Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, Col. Agene Ogwuche, was in its custody.

DSS spokesperson, Ms. Marilyn Ogar, stated this at the National Briefing Centre on Security in Abuja.

The centre also explained reasons behind the delay in extraditing Aminu Ogwuche to Nigeria from Sudan where he was arrested with the assistance of military attaché to the Nigerian High Commission in Sudan.

Coordinator of the centre and Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, said relevant agencies had commenced the extradition process and his arrival may be delayed for while.

“The return of Ogwuche, considering that the processes of getting persons extradited from sister countries takes some procedures and time, his arrival in Nigeria is being delayed, but the relevant agencies of the federal government of Nigeria are working hard to ensure that the processes are concluded so that he will come back to Nigeria,” he said.

Ogar, while confirming the arrest of senior Ogwuche, said the retired colonel was apprehended when he couldn’t produce his son whom he signed bail conditions for.

She, however, clarified that Ogwuche was only being held in custody for breaching the bail terms secured for his son, and not in connection with the April 14 bus park bombing for which his son (Sadiq) was declared wanted and eventually apprehended.

The Police that: Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, noted: “It is a modern democracy, and we don’t run a system where the sins of the son are visited on the father or sins of the father visited on the son. The obligation of the father as at the time he took Sadiq on bail is to continue to produce Sadiq whenever he is needed until the case against him is finally disposed.

“If he fails to discharge that responsibility, that does not in any way confer on him the status of a terror suspect. He has only breached the conditions for bail and he will be brought to justice in accordance with the conditions of bails. If he had signed a bond to forfeit a property, he will be made to suffer such forfeitures.”

He added: “If at the end of the day, his father is found to be part of the gang, he will answer for it, but for now, he has contravened the terms of bail and he is answering for that.”

Sadiq Aminu Ogwuche, an army deserter with service number SVC 95/104, was arrested on November 12, 2011 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on arrival from the United Kingdom for suspected involvement in terrorism-related activities.

He was however, released on bail to his father, Agene Ogwuche, a retired colonel, on October 15, 2012, following intense pressure from human rights activists, who alleged violation of Aminu’s human rights.

Meanwhile, another suspect, Abubakat Rufai Tsiga, who was declared wanted alongside Aminu Ogwuche in connection with the April 14 bombings is still on security trail.

The centre reiterated that there was still a N25 million reward for anyone who provides information leading to his arrest.

•Text courtesy of THISDAY. Photo shows DSS spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar.

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