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El Rufai To Face Sedition Charges Over Article On Nigeria’s Defence Spending

The Federal Government will charge the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El Rufai, with "false publication and sedition," SaharaReporters has learned. Mr. El Rufai was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja this morning upon arrival from the United Kingdom.

The Federal Government will charge the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El Rufai, with "false publication and sedition," SaharaReporters has learned. Mr. El Rufai was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja this morning upon arrival from the United Kingdom.

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Our sources said that the Director-General of the State Security Services (SSS) has determined that figures provided by El Rufai about defence spending in his article last Thursday are false.  The SSS said El Rufai ought to have called the Minister of Finance or the office of the National Security Adviser before publishing his "inciteful" article last Thursday. The agency also referred to the newly signed Freedom of Information law as a tool Mr. El-Rufai could have used to get the correct figures.

As human rights lawyers were trying to get the former Minister released on bail, SSS officials, who are reportedly being courteous to him, said they want to get El Rufai to compare figures with a team of investigators before he faces charges.

One problem with this arrest is that Nigeria does not have valid sedition laws known to its laws, even though the government has always arrested journalists for sedition in the country.

Mr. El Rufai had gone to Chatham House in London in the company of General Muhammadu Buahri and his former vice-presidential candidate, Tunde Bakare, to make a post-election presentation. Nasir El Rufai and his sidekick, Jimi Lawal, reportedly used their contacts in the UK to arrange the high profile presentation.  Chatham House is the famous Royal Institute of International Affairs, which promotes significant open and confidential debates about international affairs.  It is best known for the “Chatham House” rule which aims to advance debate by encouraging participants at its meetings to use any information received but without divulging either the identity of the speaker or of any participants.

While at the venue, President Goodluck Jonathan’s foot soldiers, led by his Senior Special Assistant on Research and Strategy, Mr Oronto Douglas, reportedly invaded the venue with leaflets aimed at debunking Buhari's presentation.

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