Gabriel Nkup Tsenyen remanded in DSS custody as court probes fresh trial

Gabriel Nkup Tsenyen, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Shendam branch in Plateau State, has been remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered that the lawyer remain in DSS custody until 20 August 2026.

The court will then determine whether prosecutors can proceed with a fresh trial over allegations of cyberstalking and incitement of public disturbances.

Tsenyen, who is also a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State, appeared before the court on Friday after the DSS filed a two-count charge against him.

However, his lead counsel, Emmanuel Esene, SAN, objected to the arraignment.

Mr Esene told the court that Gabriel Nkup Tsenyen had already faced the same allegations before another Federal High Court in Abuja.

He said that earlier case had been scheduled for trial on 28 September 2026.

The defence argued that allowing a second arraignment over the same allegations could expose the lawyer to double jeopardy.

However, the DSS prosecution counsel, Muinat Oladunjoye, said she was unaware of any previous charge involving the same allegations.

Justice Abdulmalik then asked the defence to produce a copy of the earlier charge. Mr Esene immediately tendered the document before the court.

The judge also requested the record of proceedings from the earlier case. The defence, however, said it could not produce the record because the new charge had come as a surprise on 13 August.

As a result, Justice Abdulmalik ordered that the proceedings from the earlier trial be produced before the court on 20 August.

The judge will use the records to establish whether Gabriel Nkup Tsenyen was previously arraigned on the same allegations.

Until then, the lawyer will remain in DSS custody.

The case raises questions about whether the fresh charge can proceed without violating the constitutional protection against double jeopardy.