Posted by By OLA AGBAJE (Lagos) and FEMI FOLARANMI (Yenagoa) on
As more details of the arrest, in London, of Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Deprieye Alamieyeseigha, emerged Thursday, family members of the governor commenced frantic effort to not only quash the report of the arrest, but also expedite his release.
As more details of the arrest, in London, of Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Deprieye Alamieyeseigha, emerged Thursday, family members of the governor commenced frantic effort to not only quash the report of the arrest, but also expedite his release.
Alamieyeseigha was reportedlyarrested at the Heathrow Airport in London yesterday on arrival in the United Kingdom. Although details of the reason behind the arrest were sketchy at the time of going to press, it was gathered that the governor was picked over alleged money laundering. He was said to have been arrested by detectives acting on a tip-off and detained at the airport.
Confirming the arrest on telephone from London, Dapo Ogunwusi, immediate past editor of the Nigerian Tribune told Saturday Sun that the governor who was in Germany earlier in the week for a surgery had come to London to rest and recuperate only to walk into the hands of the Metropolitan Police who were Obviously waiting for him.
As at about 11.30p.m. (London time) when Ogunwusi was speaking, the police were still conducting a search on Alamieyeseigha's home on Edgeware Road, SW London.
But his wife and son who are with him in London have already contracted a lawyer and were making frantic effort to get to him, as the police had not told anybody where the embattled governor was being held.
They said they were more concerned as a result of the governor's health, since he had only just had an operation was supposed to have some rest in the United Kingdom.
Saturday Sun sources revealed that the governor is being investigated by the police in London over his asset in United Kingdom, allegedly worth about £6 million.
But reacting Thursday in Yenagoa, Acting Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Preye Wariowei, said the alleged arrest of the governor was baseless and totally false.
He said that the story was the handwork of political opponents who wanted to smear the image of the governor in the eyes of the public, because of perceived political ambition in 2007.
He said the governor was being expected in Yenagoa at the weekend from abroad.
Another source close to the governor's family also said the story of the arrest was wicked and aimed to tarnish Alamieyeseigha's image.
The source said the governor had delayed his journey back to Yenagoa because he had undergone a surgical operation and due to the stress of traveling by air had to rest for sometimes, before he returning home.
Alamieyeseigha is the second Nigerian governor to be arrested in London over issues relating to money laundering. Before him, his Plateau State counterpart, Chief Joshua Dariye, had also been quizzed by the Metroplitan police. The celebrated case has actually gone to court and has being at the root of the unending problems that Dariye appears to be having with both President Obasanjo and, to some extent, the PDP.
It would also be recalled that three officials of the Bayelsa government were arrested by agents of the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC) about a week ago. Those arrested by EFCC were Commissioner of Finance, Solomon Apreala, Accountant General, Elder Steven Enamanu and a Special Adviser to the Governor, Elder Olaitari Ikemike.