Coup: Fani-Kayode not yet off the hook, currently on bail — DSS

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday said a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, is still under investigation for raising false coup alarm.

Persecondnews recalls that Fani-Kayode, who defected from the PDP to APC in 2022, was invited by the DSS over a series of tweets he made on February 11 alleging that some high-ranking military officers met with the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, to plan a coup.

He was grilled by the DSS for over five hours before being released late on Monday.

The DSS said in a statement on Tuesday by its spokesman, Dr Peter Afunanya, that the invitation was in respect of an investigation of some of his allegations and insinuations relating to national security.

“Chief Fani-Kayode faced a Panel which interviewed him on the subject matter. Afterwards, the Service granted him administrative bail and directed that he makes routine returns to the Office with effect from Wednesday, 15th February, 2023 till otherwise. The investigation, however, continues.

“Meanwhile, political parties and their media managers are advised to apply restraint in their utterances and public communication engagements prior to and after the general elections.

“This is to avoid heating up the polity and evoking tendencies that could lead to violent reactions as well as undermine peace and order,” the secret police’s statement obtained by Persecondnews said.

The main opposition party, PDP had earlier called for the arrest of Fani-Kayode over the comment.

The Nigerian Army had also denied the alleged secret meeting with Atiku and described it as “wicked and very malicious propaganda”.

It restated its loyalty to the government of the country.