Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party
(LP) for the 2023 election, has denied
recent speculations and reports that he
was arrested in the United Kingdom. During an interview on Arise Television on
Monday, Obi disclosed that he was not arrested or charged with any offence in
the country. Instead, he was stopped for a routine immigration check because
there appeared to be a duplication of his identity.
Obi clarified that the interview with the immigration
official lasted for about 20 minutes, and he was treated with respect
throughout the encounter. He stressed that he had never committed any offence
in the UK during the 12 years he lived there, from 1993 to 2005. He also reiterated
that he had never been questioned, arrested, or detained for any reason in any
country in the world.
According to Obi, the routine check was quickly resolved, and
he was given all due respect by the border personality that interviewed him. He
was even warned about the possibility of identity duplication and given a VIP
treatment. Obi also said he had a written document from the British government
clarifying the situation.
However, he expressed his concern over the negative impact of
the false reports on Nigerians, particularly those who arrived with him in the
UK. Obi said some Nigerians felt traumatised over the development and believed
that he had been detained and committed several offences, including tax
evasion.
Obi maintained his innocence and emphasized that he had not
committed any offence. He stated that the immigration check was a routine
process, and he was treated with respect throughout the encounter. Obi also
called on Nigerians to disregard the false reports and focus on the issues that
matter in the forthcoming election.
