The human rights division of the Accra High Court has directed that the Habeas Corpus motion filed by lawyers of an Islamic Cleric Sheikh Sidi Bukuri and three others who were arrested on alleged terrorism suspicion be served on the Attorney General (AG) and the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) for the matter to be "heard on merit."

According to the court presided over by Justice Nicholas Abodakpi, the application which was filed exparte must be served on the interested parties for it to be heard.

Daily Heritage Court Correspondent Muntalla Inusah who was in court reported that, the case has been adjourned to December 17, 2018.

HABEAS CORPUS APPLICATION

On Thursday, December 6, a Habeas Corpus writ requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge or into court, especially to secure the person's release unless lawful grounds are shown for their detention was moved.

A team of three lawyers representing the suspects currently before the BNI asked the court to make an order directing at the BNI to produce the bodies of their clients.

They also asked the court to direct the BNI to give reasons as to why their clients were picked up from Karega in the Northern Region and air lifted to Accra without any charge for two weeks after arresting them.

According to the lawyers, Sheihk Bukuri, especially is suffering from an acute disease and is on, medication and therefore the inability of the BNI to get them reasonable assess to him put his life at risk.

The others, he said are the bread winners of their respective families and their continuous detention would bring an untoward hardship on them.

Counsel also told the court that for two weeks after their arrest is a clear infringement on their right, especially when they have still not been charged for any offense.

Oman Jallo, Omaru Jallo and Alipha Mamudu Dicko were the other three persons

Background

Sheikh Bukuri, an Islamic Cleric and 20 others were picked up in Karega in the Northern Region by the BNI officials on the morning of Wednesday, November 28 and air lifted to Accra from Tamale.

According to information, they were arrested on suspicion of training the young men in the area into terrorism, a development the family members have vehemently denied.

Lawyers after several attempts to get access to them proved futile proceeded to court for an order for them to be released. Information gathered also indicates that a total of 21 persons were picked by the BNI on that fateful day.