Ezekwesili, who is a former Minister of Education on Tuesday,
opened up on what really transpired on the aforementioned day to members
of the Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans, where she is a
trustee.
Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili
Punch reports that her revelation was contained in a statement
issued by the CANAN Executive Director, Pastor Laolu Akande, after she
visited the group in London.
Below is an excerpt from the statement made by Ezekwesili as quoted by Akande.
“I arrived at the airport yesterday (on Monday) to travel to London
on British Airline. First, after the luggage screening section, I moved
to the Customs people, sitting right next to it and do a more thorough
bag search. Rather than they handling my luggage as is the practice,
there were three SSS men, who rudely took over before they could do so,
and ordered me to open my bag. I was travelling light, with just my hand
luggage leather roll on and my computer bag. I placed the bag for them
(to see) and one was already furiously frisking through it when the
Customs advised that a woman be allowed to do it. She was allowed and
she did it. She finished, zipped up the luggage and they said I could
proceed. But I asked that the computer bag be also searched, and they
did.
“I went on to do my checking and got my boarding pass, and was
swiftly done. I arrived the Departure Immigration Desk at about 7.15am
and presented my passport and forms. The Immigration staff did his
processing and handed to the SSS official. Usually, their entire process
lasts no more than five to 10 minutes on a passport. As a frequent
traveller through our Lagos and Abuja airports, I speak based on
experience and evidence. Even on the same day, the process for other
travellers that I witnessed did not last more than five minutes. But on
Monday, it became five, 10, 15 and 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 minutes for the
Departure Desk processing for me, with no explanation given except We
act under instruction” she said.
According to her, after 10 minutes of waiting, she asked the officer why her passport was not given to her.
“He responded, “I am not doing this personally madam. I am simply
acting based on instruction, and you of all persons should understand
that. When it was 20 minutes into the process, and with BA announcing
the final boarding call for the 8am flight, the officer walked out of
the cubicle, heading off. I followed him, asking where he was going
without giving back my passport nor an explanation on why it was being
withheld. His nonchalant response was just wait. I am trying to help
you.
“It became evident that they withheld the passport to detain me at
their departure desk in order to miss the flight. That was when I
tweeted @ 7.37am “@obyezeks: Is this a democracy? I am being detained by
the SSS @ Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The SSS has refused to
give my passport to me.” At 7.41am “@obyezeks: On my way to London this
morning for my @BBCHARDtalk appearance billed for tomorrow and the SSS
has detained me by withholding my passport. At that point, I brought out
my phone to record him even as I asked for the passport. He got angry
and charged at me that he would seize my phone. Then his colleague
screamed at him a third time to handover the passport. He did,”
Ezekwesili said.
It would be recalled that on Monday 21 July, 2014, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili was reportedly detained, but later released by security operatives at the Abuja airport.
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