EFCC explains its error in Okupe’s Thursday arrest
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has explained its error leading to Thursday January 12, 2023 arrest of Dr. Doyin Okupe, a former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The Commission, which confirmed and by the tone of its reaction took responsibility for the arrest, said it was based on a 2016 watch-list which the anti-corruption agency was yet to lift but is planning to do.
A whatsapp enquiry to Spokesman of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, on its own side to the development was yet to be responded to as at the time of filing this report.
He was, however, quoted in a media report to have issued a statement, saying the Service acted on a watch-list request issued over six years before Okupe’s recent conviction on money laundering charges by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The statement read, “The Department of State Services, DSS, today, January 12, informed the Commission of the interception of Doyin Okupe, former presidential adviser, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
“The Service acted on a watch-list request issued on July 18, 2016, over six years before his recent conviction on money laundering charges by the Federal High Court, Abuja.
“The Commission was in the process of formally lifting the watch-list before his interception and will expedite action in this regard.”
The DEFENDER had earlier reported that DSS’ Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr. Peter Afunanya, said his operatives intercepted Okupe at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos while on his way to London.
Afunanya explained that the politician had been handed over to the anti-graft agency who requested the action taken on him.
