Okupe Released As DSS Explains Arrest Of Obi’s First Supporter

Dr Doyin Okupe who was earlier arrested on Thursday and stopped from travelling out of the country by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS has been released.

GWG.ng gathered that Okupe was arrested by the DSS on the basis of an old advisory from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

That advisory it was gathered has now lapsed.

The EFCC had put Okupe on a watchlist for the pendency of the case it instituted against him over the violation of the money laundering act.

Confirming the arrest as having been prompted by the EFCC, DSS spokesman, Dr Peter Afunanya said on Thursday:

“Doyin Okupe was intercepted by DSS at Terminal 1 of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos this morning at the instance of the EFCC,” Afunanya said.

“He has long been handed over to the commission which requested the action. Okupe was billed to fly to London via Virgin Atlantic.

The erstwhile presidential aide was convicted for collecting money from the office of the National Security Adviser in cash above the threshold stipulated by the Money Laundering Act. He was, however, set free from other allegations of stealing and involvement in money laundering.

He paid the stipulated fine and with it avoided going to prison.

Sources close to him disclosed on Thursday afternoon that Dr Okupe having been released would now be travelling weekend after the encounter with the DSS.

GWG.ng reports that the conviction of Okupe had generated tractions online from sympathisers who alleged that the authorities used the issue to tar the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi for whom he served before the conviction as campaign manager. Okupe was arguably the first prominent politician to throw his support for Obi’s candidature.

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