I'M NOT UNDER INVESTIGATION — OSOTIMEHIN

By NBF NEWS

FORMER Minister of Health, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, on Tuesday said he was not being investigated by any security agency.

Osotimehin was reacting to reports (not The PUNCH) that he was stopped from travelling abroad on Sunday by security agents at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

In a statement by his Special Assistant, Mr. Niyi Ojuolape, he said that when he got to the airport to board a British Airways flight to Geneva, Switzerland, he was asked by security agents to obtain security clearance, as required from all ex-ministers.

He said the clearance was later obtained and presented to the security agents and he was allowed to travel.

According to the statement, 'Prof. Osotimehin was scheduled to travel aboard a BA flight from Abuja on Sunday morning to honour an invitation to speak at an international meeting in Geneva starting on Monday 12th April. While trying to complete airport check-in formalities, he was politely informed by security officials of a requirement for all ex-ministers to obtain security clearance before embarking on any trip abroad. He was not aware of any such requirement before then.

'He therefore left the airport and obtained the necessary clearance the same day, whereupon he travelled out via Lagos airport by BA same day, Sunday, 11th April. He has since arrived Geneva and he is attending the meeting now. This is certainly an indication that he is not under any investigation and that he does not have any case against him nor the government any issue against him.

He is expected back in the country shortly.'