Updates On Asari Dokubo Arrest In Benin Republic

Asari Dokubo was arrested on Tuesday evening by Security officials in Benin Republic, his lawyer, Festus Keyamo said.

In a statement, Mr. Keyamo revealed that the Rivers born former armed fighter was on Tuesday “arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, around the hours of 1:00pm and 2:00pm by the country’s gendarmes (Police Force).”

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.

Keyamo affirmed,

“We want to emphasise that Alhaji Dokubo-Asari carries on legitimate business and has been living partly in Benin Republic for many years now” 

“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 Beninese government” to keep his client away as 2015 approaches.

Moreover, the lawyer added,

“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,”

Dokubo has recently vowed that unless Mr. President Jonathan retains the presidency in 2015, Nigeria would break up.