NANS President sues Seyi Tinubu, DSS for N38bn

 

Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah, President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against Seyi Tinubu—the son of President Bola Tinubu—and the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The suit, filed on May 14, 2025, and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/966/2025, names the Director-General of the DSS, the Director of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and Seyi Tinubu as the 1st to 3rd respondents, respectively.

Through his legal team—Ugwueze I. Oduegbu and R.O. Ifebhor of Ajunwa & Co.—Isah is seeking several declarations and court orders, including:

• A declaration that his alleged abduction and detention for over 15 days without charge violates his constitutional rights to freedom of movement, as enshrined in Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
• A declaration that the alleged torture, beatings, stabbing, and psychological trauma he suffered amount to cruel and inhuman treatment.
• An order for his immediate and unconditional release from DSS custody.
• An injunction restraining the respondents from further acts of abduction, torture, or threats to his life.
• Monetary compensation amounting to ₦38.37 billion—₦32.87 billion in general damages and ₦5.5 billion in exemplary damages—with 20% compounded interest until full payment or deposit into a court-managed interest-bearing account.

Isah’s legal action follows a violent leadership crisis within NANS. During his inauguration at the Wells Carlton Hotel in Abuja, he was reportedly attacked by a rival faction allegedly backed by political elites, including Seyi Tinubu.

While receiving treatment at a DSS clinic after the attack, Isah was allegedly taken away by operatives of the secret police. His family says his whereabouts have remained unknown since then.

A family member, speaking with SaharaReporters, described the DSS’s actions as “bandit-like,” questioning why the agency would detain a victim while those behind the attack remain free.

“Why are the DSS operating like bandits? They whisked away a man who was nearly killed, while those responsible for the attack are walking free. Since they took him, we’ve had no word,” the relative said, adding that Isah’s wife and daughter are deeply traumatized by his disappearance.

The court is expected to fix a hearing date soon.