Prof Okey Ndibe
- says columnist questioned over legacy WLA from Jonathan era, spent 30 mins, left. DG Ajayi downgrading old watch-list cases
The Department of State Services, DSS, has denied reports that renowned writer and academic Prof Okey Ndibe was arrested and detained at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Monday.
According to a source familiar with the matter, Ndibe arrived from the United States about 11:30 a.m. June 1 and was engaged by DSS officials over a Watch-List Action, WLA, placed on him in 2013 during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
—“Routine questioning, not arrest”—
The source said Ndibe was neither arrested nor detained. He underwent routine questioning at the border control point in line with standard international procedures.
“In Prof Ndibe’s case, the interaction at the Lagos airport was purely procedural and should not be interpreted as an arrest or detention,” the source stated.
The scholar reportedly completed the engagement and left the airport roughly 30 minutes later.
—*Legacy watch-list review under DG Ajayi–
The source disclosed that the current DSS Director-General, Mr. Tosin Ajayi, has downgraded Ndibe’s watch-list status as part of an ongoing review of legacy WLAs inherited by the agency.
The present leadership directed a reassessment of old watch-list cases to clear individuals whose cases no longer warrant surveillance restrictions.
Affected persons are being engaged to facilitate final delisting, the source added.
The clarification comes after earlier reports suggested the literary scholar was arrested and held by DSS operatives on arrival.
[Culled/adapted from Credible News]
