Indications have emerged that former FCT Minister, Malam Nasir el-Rufai may be quizzed and likely face prosecution over alleged breaches of the Official Secrets Act following his massive reproduction of restricted and classified government documents in his memoir, “The Accidental Public Servant,” which was launched yesterday in Abuja and now on sale nationwide.
The book, which details El-Rufai’s nearly 10 years in government, is being studied by the appropriate government security agencies for proper legal action against the former minister in line with the law of the land.
According to a source, “The Official Secrets Act, which only ensures that classified documents are de-classified only after 10 years provides that — a person who (a) transmits any classified matter to a person to whom he is not authorised on behalf of the government to transmit it; or (b) obtains, reproduces or retains any classified matter which he is not authorised on behalf of the government to obtain, reproduce or retain, as the case may be, is guilty of an offence.
“We are taking a close look at El-Rufai’s book as it relates to the “massive reproduction of classified documents” and may invoke the necessary sections of the law where breaches are occurred”.
The source noted that “invoking the relevant law as it relates to breaches of the official secrets act is to ensure that classified documents remain classified as prescribed by law.”
A cursory look at page 533 of the book, el-Rufai lavishly published Federal Government of Nigeria’s classified memo from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President dated June 7 2007 and entitled “Re: Sale of FGN Houses in Abuja-Disposal of former Presidential Guest Houses attached to the office of the Vice-President.”
In addition, on page 535, he also published a memo from the Chief of Staff to the Chairman, FCT Transition Committee dated June 12, 2007 and entitled “Re: Disposal of former Presidential Guest houses attached to the Office of the Vice-President.” While on page 596, a memo from the Special Assistant to the President to the FCT Minister dated April 27th 2006, entitled “Re: Application for Private Audience with Mr. President.” On page 597 is also reproduced memo from late Hon. Justice Bashir Sambo to President Olusegun Obasanjo dated April 13th 2006 entitled “Re: Application for Private Audience With Mr President.”
The source further disclosed that similar classified documents were also reproduced on pages 601, 602, 606, 607 and 608 of the book.
“All I can tell you now is that as a responsible agent of the state,we will not allow such a thing like this to go unchallenged,by the time we finish our assignment,we will act in accordance with tje law of the land,nobody is above the laws of the land”, the Source declared.
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