KEYAMO DECRIES THE ARREST OF ASARI DOKUBO IN BENIN REPUBLIC

Civil Rights Lawyer, Festus Keyamo has deplored the arrest of former leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Mujahid Asari Dokubo in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

According to Keyamo, Asari Dokubo was arrested by the country’s police force, the gendarmes, today around the Lubeleyi roundabout and taken to an unknown destination.

Keyamo emphasized that Alhaji Dokubo-Asari carries on legitimate business and has been living partly in Benin Republic for many years now.

Keyamo added that Dokubo owns houses, schools and an academy in Bene Republic and nothing incriminating was found there, after a thorough search.

He said the arrest was a ploy by certain forces in Nigeria to keep Alhaji Dokubo-Asari away as 2015 approaches. Keyamo called on the Nigerian government to demand his immediate release, while promising to work with groups in Benin Republic to ensure that his fundamental human rights are respected.

 SEE KEYAMO's  FULL TEXT BELOW

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

PRESS RELEASE BY FESTUS KEYAMO

ALHAJI MUJAHID DOKUBO-ASARI ARRESTED

Today, Tuesday, November 26, 2013, my friend and client, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, was arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, around the hours of 1:00pm and 2:00pm by the country’s gendarmes (Police Force).

He was picked up around the Lubeleyi roundabout and taken to an unknown destination.

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.

We think his arrest and detention is a ploy by certain forces in Nigeria in unholy alliance with the Beninoise government to keep him 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.

Meanwhile, we shall be liaising immediately with our colleagues in that country to enforce his fundamental rights.

Thank you.

FESTUS KEYAMO, ESQ.