After nearly two months in custody, the Department of State Services (DSS) released the embattled factional president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Atiku Abubakar Isah, on Thursday, following growing public outcry and legal pressure.
According to reports, Isah was reportedly handed over to his family and legal team after weeks of delayed bail compliance despite fulfilling all conditions set by the court.
Earlier in the day, a report had surfaced that the DSS had refused to release Isah, despite the completion of additional paperwork requested on Wednesday.
Shortly after the report went public, DSS operatives contacted Isah’s family and lawyer, instructing them to come to the Abuja facility to collect him.
Isah had been arraigned on Tuesday before a Magistrate Court in Abuja, where he appeared wearing black attire, reportedly still recovering from injuries allegedly inflicted by a rival NANS faction.
He was granted bail in the sum of ₦5 million, with one surety in like sum.
His lawyer, Marshal Abubakar of Falana & Falana Chambers, disclosed that the DSS charged his client with “inciting public disturbance and impersonating a public officer.”
“They accused him of inciting students to breach the peace and disrupting a meeting held by a rival NANS faction. They also claim he falsely presented himself as NANS President,” Abubakar said.
The controversy surrounding Isah’s detention has drawn significant attention, particularly after he accused Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, of offering him a ₦100 million bribe to step down from his role.
Isah alleged that after he rejected an offer, he was abducted, stripped naked, and assaulted in the presence of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
He claims that the attack was orchestrated by a rival faction of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by Olusola Ladoja, who is allegedly backed by Seyi Tinubu.
On May 14, 2025, Isah filed a ₦38.3 billion lawsuit for the enforcement of his fundamental rights at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He is suing the Department of State Services (DSS), the NTA, and Seyi Tinubu for kidnapping, unlawful detention, physical assault, and defamation.
