Oct. 5 (Bloomberg) -- Nigeria’s state security police freed Raymond Dokpesi, head of former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida’s presidential campaign, after questioning him in connection with the Oct. 1 car bombings in the capital, Abuja.

Dokpesi was released “late last night,” Kazeem Afegbua, a spokesman for Babangida, said today by phone from Abuja. “He’s been asked to come back today.”

Dokpesi, founder of Nigeria’s Africa Independent TV and Ray Power FM radio, was held in connection with the blasts that killed 12 people near the venue of the country’s 50th independence anniversary parade, AIT said yesterday, citing Kanti Bello, a senator and another Babangida supporter. He was implicated by two text messages found on the telephone handsets of one of the suspects already in custody, Lagos-based Guardian reported today, citing unidentified officials.

Afegbua said Dokpesi’s questioning won’t affect Babangida’s plan to challenge President Goodluck Jonathan to secure the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party nomination for the presidential election due early next year. “We’re more resolute now, more than ever before,” he said.

Jonathan has promised to crack down on those responsible for the explosions, which he blamed on “a small terrorist group that resides outside” the West African country, and their domestic sponsors.

Nine Arrests

Nine suspects have been arrested over the bomb attacks, Marilyn Ogar, a spokeswoman for the state security service, told reporters at a briefing in Abuja yesterday.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, or MEND, which is seeking more resources for the country’s oil- producing region, said it carried out the attacks. Henry Okah, a South Africa-based leader of MEND, was charged with terrorism in a Johannesburg court yesterday in connection with the Abuja attacks. Okah denies he committed any “unlawful acts in South Africa or outside the country,” his lawyer, Piet du Plessis, said yesterday.

Attacks by MEND and other armed groups cut more than 28 percent of the country’s oil output between 2006 and 2009, according to Bloomberg data. While the attacks decreased after thousands of fighters accepted a government amnesty last year, MEND refused to disarm, saying its demands were not fully met.

Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil producer and the fifth- biggest source of U.S. oil imports. Its low-sulfur sweet crude is favored by many U.S. refiners.

MEND wants states in oil-rich regions to keep all revenue earned from crude sales and pay only taxes to the federal government. The government in Abuja currently takes 87 percent of the revenue and producing states receive 13 percent.

Ileke-IdI:

Who da hell is dopkesi?

egift:

If am Dokpesi, I will sue them with two options
N10 Billion or An apology published on (20 Electronic, Print and Web media each)

otokx:

GEJ should change his National Security Adviser at once, he should also relieve the SSS boss of his duties, you do not go arresting people until you have concrete and strong evidences. This guy is simply playing into the hands of IBB who will now be getting sympathy votes in otherwise weak areas. I am so ashamed of what is happening.

otokx:

He should not have been invited for questioning, this issue is a very sensitive one, they could have just gone to his house or office ask him any question they want and go their way quietly.

otokx:

He should not have been invited for questioning, this issue is a very sensitive one, they could have just gone to his house or office ask him any question they want and go their way quietly.

na_so:

Dokpesi was not arrested. He was invited for questioning. The SS invited him, he went, was questioned and now asked to go. I just hope he will not be foolish to start talking nonsense now. Anybody and I mean anybody can be invited for questioning on this matter.

Ileke-IdI:

Who da hell is dopkesi?

dustydee:

invited for questioning for how many hours?since yesterday?

na_so:

10am to 11pm. now prove that he was actually arrested.

Dokpesi, who recently alleged that he received death threats because of his support for Babangida, was invited for questioning by SSS and arrested on his arrival in the morning.

THISDAY learnt that the arrest was in connection with an SMS found on the phone of one of the nine suspects in detention over the blasts.
The SMS was said to have established a link between the suspects and Dokpesi, prompting the SSS to invite him to its headquarters in Abuja.

GEJ should change his National Security Adviser at once, he should also relieve the SSS boss of his duties, you do not go arresting people until you have concrete and strong evidences. This guy is simply playing into the hands of IBB who will now be getting sympathy votes in otherwise weak areas. I am so ashamed of what is happening.

ferari90:

Jonathan,a stupendous ignoramus
weak in every sense of the word
whoever told him he can achieve anything this way
what a garbage we have for a president

it appears he was arrested and this is why virtually all Nigerian news agencies have used the word "arrested"

MrPrsdent:

Nigerian newspapers are notorious for blowing things out of proportion.Dokpesi was never arrested,but invited in for questioning

Gbawe:

It seems he was arrested. On this occasion , most Nigerian newspapers are united in making it clear that Dokpesi was indeed invited for questioning and then subsequently arrested when he showed up to be questioned.