We Arrested Okupe Because He’s In Our 2016 Watchlist – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has given a reason why it arrested Doyin Okupe, a former Director-General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council.

Recall that Okupe was arrested on Thursday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Thursday.

EFCC said Okupe was arrested becaused he was on its 2016 watchlist, according to a report by Punch. The anti-corruption agency said it is working to have the list updated and remove Okupe’s name.

An impeccable source at the EFCC confirmed to Punch that Okupe had been on the EFCC watchlist for about six years since 2016.

“Dr. Okupe is one of the individuals, groups, or organizations that required close surveillance, for legal reasons. In his case, he has been on our watchlist since 2016.”

Confirming the report in an interview with Punch, while reacting to Okupe’s arrest by the DSS and his subsequent transfer to the EFFC, the anti-graft agency’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said the EFCC would take immediate action to remove the former presidential aide from its watchlist.

Uwujaren said, “Concerning the interception of Doyin Okupe; the DSS, today, January 12, informed the Commission of the interception of Dr. Okupe, former presidential adviser, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

“The Service acted on a watchlist request issued on July 18, 2016, over six years before his recent conviction on money laundering charges by the Federal High Court, Abuja.

“The Commission was in the process of formally lifting the watch list before his interception, and will expedite action in this regard.”