Police invite Fani-Kayode over alleged inciting publications

Police authorities have invited former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, for interrogation on allegation of criminal defamation, inciting publication and conduct likely to cause breach of the peace in the land.

Fani-Kayode is due to report for interrogation at the Force Headquarters by 10.00 a.m. on Monday.

The invitation was communicated to the former Minister via a letter dated August 20, 2018, signed by Commissioner of Police, IGP Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CP Habu A Sani.

The letter titled “Re: Conspiracy, criminal defamation, inciting publication, injurious falsehood and conduct likely to cause breach of peace,’ reads in part: “This office is investigating the above-mentioned case reported to the Inspector-General of Police, in which your name featured”.

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It will be recalled that the former minister had, in a published opinion “Femi Fani-Kayode: Buhari – The desperate agenda of an evil tyrant,” alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari’s last visit to London was not for treatment or on health grounds but to consult and convince representatives of various governments of his fitness to run for presidency in the 2019 general election.

In the opinion, Fani-Kayode wrote: “He (President Buhari) was not ill and he was not getting treatment for any ailment but he was consulting with and trying to convince the representatives of various foreign governments, including the American, British and French, that he can still run in 2019 and win”.

Among other issues, the former minister also alleged that plans were underway to arrest Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State immediately he steps down as governor in October, adding that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye, Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso and other politicians that defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would not be spared.

The invitation letter by the police stated: “In view of the above, you are kindly requested to interview the undersigned through SP Usman Garba, on 28/08/2018 by 1000hrs to shed light on the allegation raised.”

It assured the ex-minister that the invitation was strictly for fact findings and nothing else.

Fani-Kayode, in his reaction to the police invitation, said: “I am not in the least bit intimidated and I cannot be silenced. They would have to kill me first. I received the letter today without any details of the allegations or who the complainant is. I will consult with my lawyers and take it from there.

“One thing is clear though: this is yet another attack on democracy and freedom of speech. No matter what they do, in the end, we shall prevail because God is with us.”