Lawyers write DSS alleging contempt of court in Bauchi teenager’s case
A law firm has petitioned Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS) over the alleged continued detention of 17-year-old Faith Barnabas, despite a Federal High Court order for her release.
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash
Lawyers for Mrs. Kumabe Zakari allege that her daughter, Faith Barnabas, was forcibly converted to Islam and is being unlawfully held by the Bauchi State Orphans and Vulnerable Children Agency (BASOVCA), defying multiple court orders. The petition to the DSS seeks intervention to enforce a Federal High Court judgment for the teenager's immediate release to her mother.
Imagine a girl named Faith, who is 17, and her mom wants her back home, but some grown-ups are keeping her somewhere else, even though a judge said she should go home. Her family's lawyers are now asking a big police group called the DSS to step in and make sure everyone listens to the judge, because it's like playing a game where some players ignore the rules.
Analysis
The ongoing detention of Faith Barnabas, a 17-year-old, despite clear judicial directives, underscores a significant challenge to the rule of law in Nigeria. Her case involves allegations of forced religious conversion and abduction, leading to a complex legal battle that has drawn the attention of legal practitioners and civil society groups. The situation has escalated to the point where lawyers are now accusing state agencies of contempt of court, signaling a potential crisis in the enforcement of judicial pronouncements.
Faith Barnabas
Faith Barnabas's ordeal began with her alleged forceful conversion to Islam by Sadiq Ahmed Hussaini, reportedly with the involvement of the Bauchi State Shari’ah Commission. Following this, her mother, Mrs. Kumabe Zakari, initially regained custody, relocating with Faith to Jos. However, Hussaini allegedly tracked and abducted Faith again, leading to her transfer to the Bauchi State Orphans and Vulnerable Children Agency (BASOVCA) by the Bauchi State Police Command, rather than her mother. This sequence of events has subjected Faith and her widowed mother to severe emotional trauma and prolonged separation, despite legal efforts to reunite them.
Wholesome Attorneys
The Jos-based law firm, Wholesome Attorneys, has been at the forefront of the legal battle for Faith's release. They instituted a fundamental rights enforcement suit before the Federal High Court in Jos, which subsequently ordered the teenager's immediate release to her mother on July 6, 2026. Prior to this, BASOVCA had allegedly failed to comply with an interim order from a Principal District Court. The firm's recent petition to the Bauchi State Director of the DSS, dated July 9, 2026, explicitly alleges contempt of court, urging the security agency to ensure compliance with the Federal High Court judgment and facilitate Faith's reunification with her family. Their actions highlight the persistent challenges in enforcing court orders against state institutions.
Christian Association of Nigeria
The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Billiri Local Government Area Chapter, Gombe State, has vocally condemned the continued disobedience to the Federal High Court judgment. In a statement issued on August 2, 2026, YOWICAN described Faith's ongoing custody as an affront to the rule of law and the authority of the judiciary. The group argued that the detention violates constitutional provisions relating to personal liberty, family life, and freedom of religion, as well as the Child Rights Act and the Bauchi State Child Protection Law. YOWICAN has called upon the Bauchi State Government and BASOVCA to comply with the judgment and urged federal authorities, including the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police, to ensure enforcement, further demanding contempt proceedings against any officials found to be deliberately disobeying the court's directive.
Key points
- Lawyers have petitioned the DSS over the alleged unlawful detention of 17-year-old Faith Barnabas.
- A Federal High Court in Jos ordered Faith's immediate release to her mother on July 6, 2026.
- Faith was allegedly forcibly converted to Islam and abducted, then transferred to BASOVCA instead of being returned to her mother.
- The Youth Wing of CAN has condemned the continued disobedience to the court judgment, citing violations of constitutional and child rights.
- The petition alleges contempt of court by state agencies and calls for enforcement of the judicial order.
If the Department of State Services intervenes effectively, it could lead to the immediate release of Faith Barnabas, upholding the Federal High Court's judgment and reinforcing the principle of the rule of law in Nigeria. This would provide justice for Faith and her mother, potentially deterring future instances of state agencies defying court orders.
Should the DSS fail to enforce the court order, it could further erode public trust in the judiciary and governmental institutions, prolonging Faith's unlawful detention and her mother's trauma. This defiance might also embolden other entities to disregard legal directives, setting a dangerous precedent for human rights and judicial authority in the region.
