28th January, 2014
Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Security Service, SSS, early Tuesday morning released Nasir El- Rufai, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and deputy National Secretary of opposition the All Progressives Congress (APC) from its custody after 15 hours.
It was not clear if the former Minister was asked to report back by the secret service or if there are any other bail conditions stipulated for his release.
In the same vein, the DSS has also not indicated whether it will press charges against the APC chieftain.
But when asked of his ordeal by one of his followers on twitter this morning, El-Rufai described his interrogation by the DSS as “great fun but boring.”
He was detained after he reported to the DSS Monday morning.
The Service had last Friday summoned the former minister following what it described as his inflammatory statements on the impending 2015 general elections.
El-Rufai had warned that Nigerians may react violently as it had happened many times in the past if the election is not free and fair.
DSS, however, said the statement was an incitement to violence and had furtively tried to arrest El-Rufai without success last Friday.
The former minister, however, voluntarily reported at the Abuja office of DSS on Monday following the production of a valid warrant of arrest by the Service.
He reported to the DSS office in company of Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Chris Ngige, one of his wives and his lawyer.
—Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja