Nyesom Wike’s media aide Lere Olayinka criticized Arise TV presenter Rufai Oseni, labeling him an ex-convict unfit to interview law-abiding Nigerians, citing his 2022 BRT-lane conviction and a ten-year ban from public roles.
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has publicly denounced television presenter Rufai Oseni. Olayinka insisted that “an ex-convict” should not be permitted to interview law-abiding Nigerians on air .
Oseni was convicted in August 2022 for driving in a bus rapid transit (BRT) lane on a Lagos highway, contravening the Lagos State Transport Law of 2018. He was fined ₦70,000 by a mobile court, which he promptly paid to have his vehicle released .
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Olayinka wrote: “Normal normal, ex-convict @ruffydfire no suppose dey work in a TV station… In Nigeria, an ex-convict mustn’t hold public office until after 10 yrs… An ex-convict working in @ARISEtv and interviewing law-abiding Nigerians is an aberration.” He added, “He has graduated from psychology to psychosis,” and urged prayers for Oseni .