Nigeria SSS Seized My Passports - Mallam Sanusi

The State Security Service (SSS) has prevented the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, from traveling abroad.

Mr. Sanusi told journalists at the airport on Sunday that secret police had seized his passport as he tried to board a flight to France, despite a court ruling that an earlier seizure was illegal.

The 52-year old said he was stopped at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, in Kano, on his way to France for a short course, and had then intended to travel to Mecca for the lesser Hajj.

The Nigerian secret police, the SSS also seized Mr. Sanusi’s personal passport.

Despite Sanusi’s presentation of a court order preventing the government from harassing him and restraining his movement, the SSS agents stuck to their guns.

The agents told Sanusi that they were obeying an order from the presidency.

Officials of the SSS were not available to comment.