Ogoni Appeals to Benin President: Release Asari Dokubo

Ogoni Appeals to President Boni of Benin Release Asari Dokubo

MOSOP President/Spokesman, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo says his release will lower the rising tension in West Africa

MOSOP President /Spokesman, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo has on behalf of the Ogoni people appealed to the President of Benin Republic, Dr. Thomas Yayi Boni to intervene and order the release of the former Niger-Delta militant, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, even though, he said he has no facts concerning his arrest by Beninese police.

He said Dokubo has been very outspoken recently and some tribal demagogues in Nigeria have asked for his arrest. I understand that Dokubo carries on legitimate business and lives partly in Benin Republic, and he owns houses, schools and an academy [educational] in that country.”

“We must assess between consequences of his sudden arrest and benefits of lowering tension in West Africa, possibly through diplomatic alternative,” Diigbo cautioned.

There is suspicion that his arrest was instigated, Diigbo said quoting his attorney, who stated as follows:

Mr. Festus Keyamo alleged that his client might have been arrested on the behest of some unnamed "forces" working in cohort with the Beninese authorities to keep him away from Nigeria until after the 2015 presidential election.

“Whether he has committed an offence or not, his case might create discomfort among his supporters in Benin Republic, besides his followership and admirers in Nigeria; people who truly believe in him. If he were to be denied justice, his innocent supporters who hold him in high esteem; ordinarily deserve justice. His arrest seems capable of generating spiral reactions that might strain relationship between some ethnic nationalities in Nigeria and Benin Republic,” Diigbo stated.

This is happening at a time that the fate of Nigeria is about to be determined by its ethnic nationalities. The implications of a single action in international affairs, could be far reaching. This may not have been contemplated,” Diigbo stated.

“We have interest in Benin. Its hospitality extended to most Ogoni refugees now settled in the United States of America, and there thousands of others hoping to join those who left them behind. I strongly ask that Mr. Dokubo be released, while the Ogoni Human Rights Bureau, headed a man with experience in law enforcement monitors the situation,” Diigbo added.

ENDS

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