The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, who yesterday turned himself in for interrogation by the Directorate of State Security (DSS), had not been released at the time of going to press. THISDAY learnt from security sources that the DSS was ready to grant el-Rufai administrative bail, but none of persons who accompanied him earlier in the day was available to bail him. It was further learnt that his problem was compounded by his inability to communicate with his party or family members because he had been dispossed of his phone. While in custody, el-Rufai was said to have rejected the food offered by the DSS on the grounds that he has an ulcer and only eats food prepared from home. The former minister, who was invited for questioning by the security agency over statements he made regarding possible violence during the 2015 general election, had evaded arrest last Friday, insisting that the DSS must produce an arrest warrant. But before he turned himself in, el-Rufai told journalists yesterday morning at a location in Maitama, where he had gone in the company of other APC stalwarts, that he was going to honour the invitation. After briefing the press, the Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, who was present, drove el-Rufai to the DSS office in Asokoro in a BMW Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), with registration number AH 358LGT at 9.25 am. Others who accompanied el-Rufai to the DSS office were his wife; personal lawyer, Mr. A.U. Mustapha; Senator Chris Ngige; the National Secretary of APC, Alhaji Tijani Tumnsa; National Publicity Secretary of the Conference for Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Mr. Osita Okechukwu; and the Treasurer of APC, Hajiya Sadiat. However, a mild drama ensued on el-Rufais arrival at the barricade to the DSS building on Aso Drive junction where the office is located. At this point, the former minister and his entourage were forced to alight from their vehicles, tagged and made to walk the about 400 metres to the main gate of DSS. At the gate, which also serves as the reception, el-Rufai was shown the arrest warrant from the court and only he and his lawyer, Mustapha, were allowed into the main building where he was interrogated. Amaechi who later left the premises by 11.08 am and others were barred from following him into the building. At the time of filing this report, most members of el-Rufai’s entourage were still waiting in the reception at the gate. Also at the time of filing this report, the former minister was still with the operatives of the DSS. All efforts to get the DSS’s comments on el-Rufai’s interrogation proved abortive as the spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar, did not pick her calls. Shortly before he left the DSS premises, Amaechi said he had been directed by APC to accompany Rufai to the DSS, adding “But I am not involved.” But before arriving the DSS headquarters, el-Rufai spoke to journalists at his Maitama residence in Abuja, saying there was a link between his ordeal and the court action he had instituted against the DSS over his detention in Awka during the Anambra governorship election last November. “I think because I sued the SSS for detaining me unlawfully in Awka during the gubernatorial election, I think that is the main reason. Of course I think they have found other reasons because there is nothing I said that history has not shown,” he said. facebook/photo.php?fbid=638536309546762&set=a.457657607634634.107103.457651284301933&type=1&relevant_count=1
Posted on: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 06:24:53 +0000