Walida Abdullahi Is In Protective Custody - DSS

 Christian, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi had been accused of abducting a Muslim minor, walida abdullahi, and allegedly forced her both into marriage and conversion to Christianity

Walida is in Protective Custody- DSS, FIDA, CSOs Others..

Mr Patrick is an Acting Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS). In this brief interview, he explains why the Jigawa girl Walida Abdullahi who allegedly absconded from her parents is still in DSS custody.

[/b]Sir, we are in your office today. I have seen the representatives of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), the AREWA Youth Assembly, (AYA), Walida, and some of your officials. Is this the first time or the second time you are bringing them together?

With you, it is the second time but with them, I think we've met four solid times.

[b]I want to know, because this matter has become a big issue, at what point did you get to know that maybe your operative is in custody of Walida?

Information about Walida's issue with a supposed staff of the Service was obtained from open source. The Service immediately commenced investigation which is part of reason we are here today.

So where is Ifeanyi now?

Ifeanyi is undergoing internal disciplinary procedure, which is almost concluded with today's meeting since the Service wanted every strategy used for the investigation to run side by side such that we'll be able to arrive at a balanced judgment.

There is this allegation out there that you are trying to protect one of your own, and that is why the case is dragging?

There is no such thing in the DSS as protecting any staff who is suspected of having gone foul of the law. But before any decisions, our internal investigation has to be done. If you recall, the Service has recently dismissed and issued disclaimers on a few of its staff who had defaulted either the Service rules or committed offenses. So, of course, a committee was set up at the instance of the State Service, and they are all here. But the parents are not here.

They told you why they were not here?

For me, I'm surprised that they are not here today, because there's no decision about the proceedings or the procedures to be adopted in this matter that was taken independently. All actions were jointly agreed upon before decisions were taken. In fact, the decision that led to today's meeting was based on their observation and a request for medical evaluation of Walida, because they were amazed at the type of information she released to those that were present during our last meeting. So, they questioned her mental stability and requested for a medical examination for WalidaAnd they were duly informed.

And when I called to remind them about today's meeting, they told me that they are staying away since they did not witness the medical evaluation. But I reminded them that they were duly informed. And why is it that they did not even inform me that they were not going to be in today's meeting that was jointly scheduled. They said, as far as they are concerned, that they have nothing to do with the outcome of the medical evaluation. I remember that they said, they questioned our resort to the use of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) instead of National Hospital that we earlier agreed. I told them that that decision was made to ensure total neutrality and in the best interest of everybody. And that decision was communicated to them. And they never objected to it.

Is it the National body of Medical Association that took part in this or the Abuja chapter of the NMA?

Yes. National Body

So, why are you keeping Walida when the parents want her handed over to them? This is the question Nigerians are also asking.

Walida has expressed some fears about her safety in the course of this investigation. When our investigation showed that contrary to the allegation that she was a minor, she is indeed an adult, that kind of raised suspicion as to her father's sincerity. She expressed fears that she would be harmed if forced to go with her family and as a security organisation, our core value is to protect life and property. Therefore, once somebody expresses fear about their safety, it becomes incumbent on the Service to protect that person.

So if I understand, she is in protective custody?

Sure, sure, because of her concerns about her safety.

But for how long will she be here?

That will be dependent on the outcome of the investigation.

We learnt that the parents have headed to court. Are you willing to meet them in court over this matter?

Well, naturally, the Service always believes in an amicable resolution in matters like this. Because we believe that an alternative dispute resolution, which leaves every party to the conflict satisfied, will always be the best. Initially, we were told that on this matter, the family had already gone to court in Jigawa. And I know we have applied for vacation of the order.

Okay, the court that gave the order that you should release her?

Yes. We have applied and I learned that the court met today (Thursday, February 19) and a date has been fixed for ruling on the order.

Why did you invite FIDA, National Youth Council, and Arewa Youth National Assembly, among others?

To ensure transparency because the hallmark of the Service’ operations is always to be fair to all concerned, in the interest of humanity.

What will happen to Ifeanyi?

Ifeanyi will face appropriate disciplinary measures as prescribed by law if he is found guilty and the outcome will be communicated to all parties concerned and the public.

What are your words to Nigerians and many other people around the world who are agitated about the matter because they believe the case of Walida is like the case of Ese Oruru?

I want to advise Nigerians to always have confidence in the system and never to jump to hasty conclusion, until due processes are applied to find out the truth of the matter.

How we got involved in Walida’s case – FIDA

Barrister Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko is the Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria

Abuja Branch. In this interview, she explains their role in the Walida case.

How did you get to know about Walida or Chinasa?

Okay, sometime last month, I got a call from someone, unfortunately I couldn't take the call at the time, but when I sent a message for the person to introduce themselves and the reason for the call, the response I got turned out it was a call from someone in the DSS. And eventually when I got to speak with the person later that evening, the person said they were reaching out to me on account of my position as the chair of FIDA and the mandate of the organisation, that there was the case of an alleged abduction of a young girl from Jigawa State and they needed advice on that matter.

So I came in here for that meeting and in the course of that meeting, I sought to interview the young lady purportedly abducted and I did interview her. And from the outcome of that interview, it appeared to me that the allegation is not quite true because the young lady was coherent, she was lucid, she spoke to me in a manner that convinced me as to the truth of the account she gave. And she said she was born in 2004 and then the records, the documents I saw from the DSS was one that portrayed her year of birth to be 2004 and then I also saw an authentication from the National Population Commission (NPC), you know, verifying the authenticity of that record.

And then I saw another birth certificate purported to have been procured in December 2025, which purports that her date of birth is in the year 2008. And at face value, except a court order pronounced otherwise, I'm inclined to believe the truth of that birth certificate that puts her year of birth at 2004. So if that is true, it then means that this girl is not underage. It means she's 22 as we speak now and would have been about 20 at the period of her encounter with the man who is being alleged to have abducted her.

It appears that the State Service set up a committee of sorts in order to find a way of finding a solution to the problem. Are you aware of that committee?

I'm not aware that we have been officially pronounced a committee, but yes, I'm aware that there is a team of sorts that is deliberating to see that the right outcomes come out of all of this. So, FIDA Nigeria Abuja branch is there. There is a scholar, a lecturer from the BAZE University, who is also an Islamic cleric. And then I reached out to the Muslim Lawyers Association, (Mulan), FCT, and they also sent representation at the meeting that has happened all towards ensuring that we have a holistic approach to this and then have a well-balanced outcome.

At what time was it agreed to check the mental state of Walida?

I had been at two meetings on this subject until today being the third meeting. But in between, there was another meeting that I did not attend. FIDA Abuja sent a representation of three delegates. And in that meeting, I understand that the lawyer representing the family, after Walida was asked to give an account, the lawyer representing the family sought that Walida's psychological state be evaluated to confirm that she was speaking from a sound mind, and it was reported to me that it was after that proposition from the lawyer representing Walidafather's family that the meeting resolved to proceed. And that evaluation happened.

But I heard that initially the evaluation ought to have taken place at the National Hospital, but then later, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) was brought in and they evaluated her. Are you aware of that?

Again, I said I was not at that particular meeting, but the report reaching me was that yes, that was the resolution at the meeting.

But then again, while not speaking for the service, because this question may better be put to the service to answer, while not speaking to the service, if I was at that meeting, I think I would have also preferred that the umbrella body, regulating the medical practitioners in Nigeria would be more suitable to give what I call an independent assessment in such a sensitive case as this. I'm not saying that the National Hospital does not have the pedigree or the integrity to do that, but I'm saying that a neutral body like the umbrella body, of course, would be better.

Today we are here. Walida is here. Officials of the Service are here. You are here from the female FIDA lawyers. We have the National Youth Council of Nigeria. We have the Arewa Youth Assembly. Why are the parents or the lawyers of Walida not here?

Unfortunately, I have not had any direct interactions with them, you know, so I may not also be able to answer that question. But it was also surprising to us because I understand that the date for this meeting was reached unanimously at that last meeting that I told you I was not present. So I'm surprised that after that unanimous resolution for this meeting to happen today, they are not here. I honestly don't have the answer to that.

So what role did you play as FIDA in the whole of this thing and what is your conclusion?

The role we have played so far as FIDA is that in accordance with our mandate, which is to protect, preserve and, you know, promote the rights of women and children and other vulnerable persons, is first to interview the girl, the young woman involved, to even hear from her, to ascertain the truth of what has happened, without relying on reported accounts or, maybe contrived petitions and all of that. And after being persuaded on the strength of her account in the course of that interview, FIDA Abuja was of the opinion that we should have an expanded team so that we will have a more balanced outlook in considering all the issues that are raised, particularly the legal issues that I see in the matter. So, of course, you are now aware that it's not just FIDA Abuja, you've mentioned Mulan, the Youth Council of Nigeria, Arewa Youth Forum and all of those.

So what FIDA is doing is looking out for the best interest of Walida and her daughter, because regardless whatever other sensibilities, their best interest is priority for us. And that is FIDA’s role until this is resolved, including legal steps where that becomes a compelling need.

How do you think this problem can be resolved now?

I think the best way to resolve this is to remove personal ego and maybe whatever personal sensitivities. I think those things should be removed from focus. I think that if we should focus on the young lady at the middle of this and then her innocent child, we’d be able to fashion outcomes that would protect their interests. And I say this because if the family of Walida who are now aggressively taking all actions towards, I don't know, maybe recovering their daughter, if half this measure was even exerted at the time she went missing, it's possible that Walida would have been found earlier than now. It took the young man being alleged to have abducted her, to even contact the family that they know the whereabouts of Walida.

You are referring to the DSS operative?

Yes, the Ifeanyi guy, yes. I mean, I haven't met him, but yes, that's the young man. It took that guy to have preserved Walida from the period he came in contact with her up until this point. Now, I am not making a case for him.

Like I said, I haven't had an opportunity to interact with him, I do not hold his brief, and I'm not particularly interested in him. My focus as FIDA is Walida and Walida's daughter. So, if we are mindful of that, now that Walida has been found, on account of this guy still helping Walida to reach out to the family, I'm not going to maybe advise on the religious angles, but just on the basis of the protection of her rights as a human being, can we focus on her well-being?

I am asking because the parents of Walida are agitating that she should be released to them. Do you think it's the right time for her to be released to her parents, based on your observation?

It's good that Walida is sitting in this room and she can answer for herself, but I'll tell you what Walida told me and the promise I made to her. After the second meeting that I came for, when I was leaving, Walida intercepted me on my way out and said, please Ma, can I talk to you? I said, okay. She led me out of hearing from other people, and she said, please Ma, don't let them force me to go back there. If I go back there, they will kill me. I know what I'm telling you, Ma, don't let them force me, I don't want to go back. And looking at the vulnerability of her demeanour, as she spoke to me, there is no parent, much more a mother that will see that naked vulnerability and not seek to rise in defence of her, protecting her.

And I made her a solemn promise that whatever I can do to ensure that she's protected, I will do it.

Finally, we heard that the parents have gone to court. Are you thinking of being part of the proceedings in the event that the matter ends in court?

Of course, to any extent that it affects the interest of Walida, to any extent that we have to protect and promote and preserve her rights, FIDA will be there the whole hog.

Walida’s uncle, Badamasi, complicated the matter – Youth council

Bello Shehu Tijjani represents the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in the case of Walida. He shares their views in this brief interview.

How did you get to know about Walida?

Yes, we received a call from the Service, the DSS, that we should come to the office, that they want us to be part of a civil society and as an organization that is representing the youth.

Have you met with the parents of Walida?

Yes, we met her parents during our last meeting.

What exactly do they really want?

The parents were made to know that during one of our meetings, the uncle (Badamasi) was contacted to come and meet Walida, but the statement he made was he rather go with her dead body than to go with Walida and her daughter. But at the last meeting where the parents and the uncle came together, where we met them for the first time, we were asked to discuss with them in respect to what they want, and they said they want to go with Walida and her daughter.

Were you privy to the medical examination carried out on her by the NMA?

At the last meeting, the lawyer from the family side, from the father's side, because a decision was supposed to be made that since Walida herself has been confirmed that she is not a minor, and constitutionally she is above 18 years old, she has a right to make her own decision based on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We agreed that a decision should be made that day, but the lawyer from the family side made an observation that medical examination should be carried out on Walida to check the state of her mental health, whether what she is saying or what she is going to say is not under duress or she is in her right senses. So, it was agreed that it should be postponed pending when there is a medical examination on Walida.

You have been called here today, but the parents of Walida are not around. Are you worried or are you surprised that they didn't turn up?

I'm actually very surprised that they are not here because they are the ones that suggested that the meeting should be postponed pending when there will be an examination on Walida, whether her state of mental health is alright. So I'm very surprised because I believe since we have been invited to be part of this case, which I feel is something that has tested my faith and everything, because it's something that needs to be carefully discussed considering what is being said outside and it's not what we found out from Walida.

Do you think it's time for the State Service to release her to her parents?

I think from the whole situation and from my own observation from all the meetings that we've had, I think the case of Walida is a case of abandonment, I would like to say that she's a victim of neglect from the family.