IBB's aide shows up for DSS talks with 8 lawyers

Kassim Afegbua, spokesperson to former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, showed up to his showdown talks with the Department of State Services (DSS) with eight lawyers on Thursday, February 8, 2018.

According to a report by Premium Times, Afegbua arrived at the DSS office at about 12:46 pm with eight lawyers in tow.

He had received a verbal request on Wednesday, February 7, to report to the DSS for an interview with the agency's Director-General, Lawal Daura, over the controversial statement he issued on behalf of his principal, Babangida.

He had turned himself in at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday after a public warrant of arrest was issued for his presence.

Reason for DSS invitation

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, ordered Afebua's arrest for making false statements and defamation of character in relation to a statement he released purportedly made by his principal, Babangida, where he criticised President Muhammadu Buhari.

A second statement had emerged after that one claiming that Babangida had not authorised such a statement, but this second statement has been refuted by Babangida himself in an interview with ThisDay, where he stood by Afebua's original statement.

The police deemed the statement to be an act capable of inciting public disturbance although there is no official complaint made by Babangida or anyone else.

Despite turning himself in, Afegbua has already sued the NPF to the tune of N1 billion in a fundamental rights enforcement lawsuit.

While addressing the media before he entered the Police HQ on Wednesday, Afegbua said Babangida was shocked by the development of events, and reiterated that he was never a fugitive.