The leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, Alhaji
Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, was today arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
A statement by his lawyer, Festus Keyamo, said Dokubo was picked up
by the police between 1:00pm and 2:00pm around the Lubeleyi roundabout,
and taken to an unknown destination.
The wealthy former militant reportedly opened a private university in
the Benin Republic, the King Amachree African University that is
preparing to start degree-awarding programmes in 2014.
“We want to emphasise that Alhaji Dokubo-Asari carries on legitimate
business and has been living partly in Benin Republic for many years
now,” Keyamo said in his statement. “In fact, he owns houses, schools
and an academy in that country. All these places have been searched as
at this evening and nothing incriminating was found.”
He suggested that Dokubo’s arrest and detention may be a ploy by
“certain forces in Nigeria in unholy alliance with the Beninoise
government” to keep his client away as 2015 approaches.
“We call on the Nigerian government to immediately intervene and
ensure that no harm befalls Alhaji Dokubo-Asari and to use all
diplomatic means to secure his immediate release and safe return to
Nigeria,” he said.
Dokubo has in recent times vowed that unless Mr. President Jonathan retains the presidency in 2015, Nigeria would break up.
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