UK government apologises to Obi after it emerges that immigration officials wrongly detained him

BRITAIN'S government has apologised to former Anambra State governor and Nigerian presidential candidate Peter Obi for detaining him unduly at Heathrow Airport over the Easter period following an impersonation mix-up.

Last weekend, Governor Obi was detained and harassed by immigration officers at Heathrow Airport in the UK who were investigating impersonation allegations. Apparently, he was detained and questioned for a duplication offence amid suggestions that someone must have been impersonating the former Anambra State governor in London.

Governor Obi arrived at Heathrow Airport in London on Good Friday April 7 and joined the queue for the necessary protocols when he was accosted by immigration official who handed him a detention note and told him to step aside. Labour Party spokesman Diran Onifade, said he was questioned for a long time and it was very strange given that Governor Obi had lived for over a decade in the UK.

He added that the former Anambra State governor was detained and questioned for a duplication offence and suggested that someone must have been impersonating him in London. It is not yet clear if Governor Obi's travails had anything to do with the elections or were at the behest of the ruling APC, who might have furnished the UK authorities with false information about him.

Governor Obi has since been released and has returned to Nigeria  but realising the embarrassment they caused him the UK government has apologised for its actions. An immigration official at Heathrow Airport admitted he wrongly handed Governor Obi a detention note as part of a search for man who impersonated him to commit perjury, forgery and identity theft.

Admitting their error, the UK authorities said the uncomplimentary treatment Governor Obi received was completely unacceptable and issued a personal apology. A government spokesman said: “Frankly, the immigration official’s action has been appalling and we are sorry.”

Basically, Governor Obi was wrongly detained over offences allegedly committed by an impostor who is still at large. Apparently, the impersonator involved in this scam  is still at large, meaning that Governor Obi could be implicated in a series of forbidden acts that could be a huge embarrassment to him, his family and his party.