Ojukwu faces arrest � We won�t succumb to cheap blackmail � SSS
Yusuf Alli, Abuja
The State Security Service may arrest the Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu, for declining an invitation to appear for a chat at its headquarters in Abuja.
A top source in SSS who spoke with our correspondent on Tuesday said the security agency would have no option but to arrest the former Biafran leader if he failed to report in Abuja.
The source who asked not to be named said, "We will still give him some time before we allow the law to take its course.
"If he cannot honour a simple invitation for interaction, then we will do anything within the law to ask him to clarify a few things.
"We do not rule out arrest but we hope it won't get to that."
SSS had last week invited the Ikemba Nnewi over his alleged support for the Movement for the Actualisation Sovereign State of Biafra.
But Odumegwu-Ojukwu, while declining the invitation said it was aimed at eliminating him.
SSS, however, said in a statement on Tuesday that it never intended to arrest Odumegwu- Ojukwu.
In the statement signed by Mr. Ezra Tobechukwu on behalf of its Director-General, Col. Kayode Are, SSS expressed surprise that the Ikemba Nnewi declined to honour the invitation despite being given the option to come with his personal lawyer.
Arguing that the security of Nigeria was beyond politics and blackmail, SSS said that it was determined to ensure that the law took its course.
SSS said, "The service would not join issues with Chief Odumegwu- Ojukwu, but having rejected the option of dialogue, other courses of lawful action open to the service would be pursued to their logical end in addressing the matter.
"Clearly, if the intention was to arrest the Chief, that would have been done through due process, without hesitation."
The Director-General explained that SSS realised the delicate nature of the invitation extended to Odumegwu- Ojukwu and therefore did its best to give him all the required respect as an elder statesman.
He said, "It was in recognition of the delicate nature of the issues at hand that a senior member of the Service invited Chief Odumegwu- Ojukwu for dialogue. Chief Odumegwu- Ojukwu was accorded courtesy and respect due to an elder and statesman.
"He was even encouraged to come along with his lawyer and any other person he wishes to be present during the planned interaction.
"Apparently, Chief Odumegwu- Ojukwu misunderstood the gesture and took fright, out of concern for his personal comfort, which unfortunately is consonant with his character, over the years.
"The Department of States Services, wishes in the public interest, to clarify its interaction with Chief Odumegwu- Ojukwu, which has been turned into an object of public drama and cheap blackmail.
"As far as security is concerned, the corporate existence of Nigeria is a matter, which is beyond politics."
SSS stated that its role in checking any Nigerian allegedly undermining the nation's security was statutory and could not be compromised.
It said, "The reality today is that while some leaders are striving assiduously to build a better Nigeria for all, some are committed to dismembering the country, through violent or non-violent means, and disturbing the peace which all enjoy.
"In accordance with the mandate of the service as enshrined in the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, if for any reason, the conduct of any individual is inimical to peace and stability, the service has a duty to call that person or group to order through lawful means."
Meanwhile, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties has said that it was trying to reach out to Odumegwu- Ojukwu to find out what transpired between him and SSS.
Chairman of CNPP, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, said, "We do not know what was the situation between Ojukwu and SSS. We are taking steps to reach him.
"After hearing from Ojukwu, we will sit down and discuss the issue and take a position.
"But there are ways you treat people .We are not sure if he has been properly invited."
"We know that there is equality before the law but Odumegwu-Ojukwu has a responsible and a sensitive constituency. Odumegwu- Ojukwu is not an ordinary person. He must be properly invited by SSS.
"SSS must know that Odumegwu-Ojukwu is a responsible person and we suspect that the manner of invitation may have been faulty.
"What they (SSS) normally do is that if a person is a responsible person they send a responsible person to go and brief him. After that they decide whether he should go to SSS headquarters or not. We are not sure of what transpired now."
