The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says the arrest of Dr Doyin Okupe, a former media adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, by the Department of State Services (DSS) was based on a 2016 watch list which the anti-graft agency is planning to lift.
Okupe was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos while on his way to London on Thursday.
The spokesman of the secret police, Peter Afunanya, who confirmed Okupe’s arrest, explained that the politician had been handed over to the anti-graft agency who requested his arrest.
“Yes, Doyin Okupe was intercepted by the DSS at Terminal 1 of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos this morning at the instance of the EFCC.
DSS: Okupe has been moved to EFCC Custody
Doyin Okupe arrested on his way to London
“He has long been handed over to the Commisson which requested for the action. Okupe was billed to fly to London via Virgin Atlantic,” Afunanya had said.
But reacting to the development, the spokesman of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said 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, 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.”
