Lere Olayinka, senior special assistant on public communications and social media to the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has attacked Arise TV anchor Rufai Oseni, describing him as an ex-convict who should not be allowed to interview Nigerians on television.
On Tuesday, Olayinka wrote on X:
“Normal normal, ex-convict @ruffydfire no suppose dey work in a TV station and be saying I PUT IT TO YOU nah.
“In Nigeria, an ex-convict mustn’t hold public office until after 10 yrs.
“@ruffydfire was convicted in 2022.
“An ex-convict working in @ARISEtv and interviewing law-abiding Nigerians is an aberration. He needs our prayers.
“Ex-convict @ruffydfire needs our prayers. Let’s pray for him. He has graduated from psychology to psychosis.”
In August 2022, Rufai was accused of driving on the BRT lane on a Lagos highway and resisting arrest. He was charged before a mobile court for contravening the Lagos State Transport Law of 2018.
The court found him guilty and fined him N70,000. He paid the fine and his vehicle was released to him.
Following the incident, Rufai apologised live on television, admitting he should have obeyed traffic laws.
Olayinka’s claim about a 10-year bar refers to constitutional provisions which disqualify ex-convicts from holding elective or public office until after 10 years. However, legal experts note that this applies largely to financial or custodial offences and does not extend to media employment.
Rufai, a graduate of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, is one of Arise TV’s popular presenters, known for his hard-hitting interviews with politicians.
