The tardiness in Nigeria reared its head on Thursday morning as the Department of State Security (DSS) arrested Doyin Okupe, former Director General (DG) of the Peter Obi/Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation, claiming that he is still restricted from traveling abroad.
But he was later released by DSS after learning that he is now cleared following the recent court judgment which he fully complied with.
Reports say he was nabbed on Thursday morning at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
One of his lawyers, Tolu Babaleye, confirming the incident, was quoted to have said: “The information reaching me now is that Dr. Doyin Okupe has been arrested at Lagos Airport by the DSS on his way to London.
“The reason according to the source is that he was asked to produce evidence that the Federal High Court Abuja has freed him from the case in which he was convicted and paid fine to the knowledge of the whole world and was allowed to go home.
“When will this harassment stop? Who is after Dr. Doyin Okupe? As at today, the man has no case to answer anywhere, I hereby demand that the DSS should release my client immediately as this is a violation of his freedom of movement, right to liberty and dignity of human person.
“This is unfair as the man’s health is fast failing!”
However, the DSS issued a clarification on the Thursday morning airport, stating that Okupe has been released as they do not know that he has been cleared to travel.
The statement from DSS issued by its Spokesperson, Dr Peter Afunanya, reads: “Doyin Okupe was intercepted by the DSS at Terminal 1 of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos this morning at the instance of the EFCC.
“He has long been handed over to the Commission which requested for the action. Okupe was billed to fly to London via Virgin Atlantic.”
