Nigerian–American Christian Group Carpets SSS Over Ezekwesili’s Airport Harassment

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014

The Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans, (CANAN) has demanded for explanations on the circumstances surrounding detention and harassment of Former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili

The association, in a statement issued on Tuesday in New York, by its Executive Director, Pastor Laolu Akande, urged the Presidency to call to order the airport security officials who involved in the intimidation of the Bring #BackOurGirls Activist, billed to have a date with BBC for a programme – Hard Talk (Tuesday).

CANAN observed that it was puerile for government spokespersons including the Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri to “mischievously focus on the person of Dr. Ezekwesili, seeking to indict her unassailable credibility”, while also insulting the intelligence of Nigerians at home and abroad with respect to facts of what transpired at the airport.

The association asserted that by deciding to use her voice and time to champion the causes of the abducted Chibok girls, their parents, relatives and victims of terrorism, the former Minister deserved commendation.

Pastor Akande alleged that the harassment was an attempt to “politicize her zeal by some officials and political circles”.

“Effort to throw political tantrums and cast aspersion on her altruistic activism is a waste of government time and public resources. There is no offense in having a former Federal Minister defending and standing up for the very concept of democratic expression”, the statement stressed.

The organization which supported Ezekwesili’s unfolding drives rejected the misleading reports from the government agencies on the embarrassing experience, while commended the British Airways (BA) for holding its flight while the drama lasted.

Dr. Ezekwesili narrates his ordeal:

“I arrived the airport yesterday on to travel to London on BA.

“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 it 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 traveling light with just my hand luggage leather roll on and my computer bag. I placed the bag for them 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 @ about 7.15 and presented my

passport and forms. The immigration staff did his processing and handed

to the SSS official.

“Usually their entire process lasts not more than 5 -10 minutes on a passport. As a frequent traveler through Lagos and Abuja airports I speak based on experience and evidence. Even on the same day the process for those of the travelers that I witnessed did not last more than 5 minutes.

“But on Monday, it became, 5, 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”.

“At each point after 10 minutes of waiting, I asked the officer why my passport was taking so long and not being handed to me. His recurrent response was “We act under instruction”. I would go on and state that he owed me explanation on what was wrong since there seemed to be a different process from the regular and that he had no right to trample on my constitutional right to movement.

“He would respond, “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 @ 7.37 @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 7.41: @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.

“While I stood with him and demanding my passport, we were joined by two of the fellows that had instructed the search of my bags, they reappeared and one of them instructed the younger to handover the passport to me. He hesitated glaring down at me. His colleague raised his voice and instructed him again and he refused.

“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 hand the passport. He did.

“I tweeted: @obyezeks: SSS has RELEASED IT. Just barely made the BA flight. Last to

board @ 7.55 for an 8.00 am flight that is now taxiing. IS THIS A

DEMOCRACY?

8.04 am @obyezeks: No ONE can SEIZE my DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS. I REFUSED to let the SSS GET AWAY with TRAMPLING on my CONSTITUTIONAL RIGTH.

“So strangely, my passport had all the while been seized away from the processing cubicle and was not with the officer at the desk at the time he was saying “We are acting under instruction”.

“Immigration, Customs, airport staff and travelers (including Prof. Jerry Gana) who witnessed the sad episode were at various times intervening while it lasted.

“BA was kind in that it not only waited beyond their normal departure time to take me on board, but they also upgraded my class of travel following the unjustified harrowing experience with our SSS.”