Posted by By JDAPO OGUNWUSI, London on
Bayelsa State governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, has described his recent ordeal at the hands of the British police as the handiwork of his political enemies for his stand on certain national issues.
Bayelsa State governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, has described his recent ordeal at the hands of the British police as the handiwork of his political enemies for his stand on certain national issues.
Narrating his ordeal to friends and relations at his London home weekend, Alamieyeseigha, limping badly from his recent stomach operation in Germany, said he left Nigeria on sick leave with his doctor and only came to London for recuperation with members of his family who he believed would naturally take good care of him.
He disclosed that there had been insinuations even in Nigeria that certain people were trying to deal with him, but he had to ignore all those warnings out of his good conscience.
"Even here in London, my family had noticed some strange movements, but we dismissed them since we had nothing to fear," he further disclosed.
Alamieyeseigha was picked up by the Police in London on Thursday and was taken to Ilford Police Station before he was released on Friday morning while police investigation continues.
According to the governor, "I could not imagine how a holder of a diplomatic passport could be treated the way I am being treated," stressing that the issue was beyond the money laundering allegations as it bordered on Nigeria's national and territorial integrity.
Pressed to be specific on the so-called political enemies, the governor said his quest for true democracy and genuine federalism, which some people call "resource control" was at the heart of the matter.
He said even the British authorities confirmed to him that the matter was the handiwork of the Nigerian authorities.
"This merely served to confirm my own fears as you can imagine the Nigerian High Commission making a press statement on the arrest when they have never made any attempt to speak to me or know my whereabouts."
Continuing he said: "It is terrible for people to use methods like this on a sick man. They had all the time in the world to set up this shocking act and I merely walked into it. I leave them to God."
Gov. Alamieyeseigha, who has assembled a powerful legal team headed by a Queens Counsel, has been playing host to many Nigerians, especially politicians.
Notable among them are political appointees from Bayelsa State who have been paying sympathy and solidarity visits to the governor's family.
As at weekend, no court hearing on the matter had been slated, but sources close to the embattled governor's legal team hinted that his side may fire the first shot to allow him access to his hospital in Germany, as his health still remained fragile.