Okupe was intercepted by DSS at EFCC’s instance, Afunanya clarifies report
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The Nigerian secret agency, Department of State Services (DSS) has clarified media report over arrest of Dr. Doyin Okupe, former Senior Special Assistant on the President on Public Affairs, during the administration of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Thursday morning, saying he was intercepted at the instance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
It made this clarification in a three-sentence paragraph in response to The DEFENDER enquiry following an earlier claim that the politician was arrested by security agents at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
In the short statement by Dr. Peter Afunanya, the Service’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), it was said that Okupe’s hold-back by the DSS from jetting out of Nigeria was at the instance of the country’s anti-corruption agency, the EFCC and that he had since been handed over to the Commission.
“Doyin Okupe was intercepted by the DSS at Terminal 1 of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos this morning at the instance of the EFCC. He has been handed over to the Commission which requested for the action. Okupe was billed to fly to London via Virgin Atlantic,” the DSS Spokesman gave clarification over action.
Earlier on Thursday, The DEFENDER said that the chieftain of Labour Party (LP), Dr. Doyin Okupe, had been reportedly arrested but did not mention which security agency carried out the arrest.
Okupe, according to Channels Television online, was arrested by security agents at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, on Thursday January 12, 2023. He was billed to fly to London via Virgin Atlantic before he was stopped by the agents.
