IN what appeared like a throwback to the military era of harassment of innocent Nigerian citizens, Nasir el-Rufai, a former
minister of the Federal Capital Territory during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure in office, was on Wednesday detained for questioning on his way out of the country at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.
The reason for Mr. el-Rufai’s questioning by agents of the Directorate of State Security, DSS, was not immediately available as at the time of filing the report.
But the former minister and active politician with the opposition Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, has been virulent in his criticism of the incumbent administration of President Jonathan in recent months, actions that may have made him a target of scrutiny by government’s security operatives.
Mr. el-Rufai was on his way out of the country to Dubai, U.A.E. when he was stopped for questioning. His travel documents, including his international passport were seized by the security operatives.
Mr. Rufai’s lawyer, Mr. A.U. Mustapha reacted to the development later by stating that his client would be seeking legal redress for the abuse of his fundamental human rights, including the right to travel unmolested by anyone.
Nasir el-Rufai has used both the social media, including Facebook and Twitter, and his relatively influential public position to rail against what he perceives as the failings of the current government.
This is not the first time the former minister would be arrested by the government.