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ACTION REQUEST

Nigeria: Arrest of leading human rights defender

URGENT ACTION - THE OBSERVATORY

NGA 001 / 9803 / 015
Arrest / Detention
NIGERIA
16th March 1998


The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint
programme of FIDH and OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the
following situation in Nigeria. 

Brief description of the events:

The Observatory has been informed by the Inter Africa Network for
Human Rights and Development (AFRONET) and the International Service
for Human Rights, of the arrest, on the 3rd of March 1998, of Mr Olisa
Agbakoba, ex President of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO),
President of AFRONET and President of a pro democracy group (United
Action for Democracy - UAD).

On the 3rd of March, Mr Agbakoba was attacked and then arrested by
members of the Nigerian Police when he tried to speak at a pro
democracy rally, organised by the UAD in Yaba Lagos. During the rally
36 other persons were arrested.

Mr Agbakoba was detained for 24 hours. During his detention he was
beaten up and suffered eye injuries. He was then brought before a
magistrate who released him under caution. The arrest was later
justified by the Police Commissioner on the grounds that the meeting
had not been authorised.

Mr Agbakoba launched an appeal in the High Federal Court challenging
his arrest and requesting that he be awarded damages. The Court will
pronounce judgement on the 20th March.

The Observatory condemns the attacks on the physical integrity of Mr
Agbakoba and considers that this arrest constitutes a restriction on
the freedom of association, freedom of expression and of opinion all
rights guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples'
Rights (which has been incorporated into Nigerian law), the 
 Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as other international
 instruments of human rights protection ratified by Nigeria.

Action requested:

Please write to the Nigerian Authorities requesting that they:

i.-	put an end to all legal proceedings, including judicial orders
against Mr Agbakoba and other persons harassed by reason of their
involvement in favour of fundamental rights and fundamental freedoms.
ii.-	guarantee freedom of action to non governmental organisations who
defend human rights, and their members in order that they can carry
out their work to promote and defend human rights and fundamental
freedoms. iii.-	more generally respect human rights and fundamental
freedoms in the country in conformity with international instruments
ratified by Nigeria

Addresses :

General Sani Abacha, Chairman, Provisional Ruling Council, State
House, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Fax : + 234 95
232138 

Lieutenant-General D. Oladipo Diya, Vice-Chairman, Provisional
Ruling Council and Chief of General Staff, State House, Abuja, Federal
Capital Territory, Nigeria. Telegram : Lieutenant-General Diya, Abuja,
Nigeria. 

Alhaji Aminu Saleh, Secretary to the Government of the
Federation of Nigeria, State House, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory,
Nigeria.  Telegram : Alhaji Saleh, Abuja, Nigeria. 

Alhaji Ibrahim Coomasie, Inspector General of Police, Nigeria Police Force
Headquarters, Garki, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. 
Telegram : Alhaji Coomasie, Abuja, Nigeria.

The Embassy of Nigeria in your respective countries.


Geneva - Paris, 16 March 1998

Kindly inform the Observatory of any action undertaken, quoting the
code number of this appeal in your reply.


The Human Rights Actions Network

Human Rights in Nigeria


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The Human Rights Action Network, a part of Derechos Human Rights, distributes appeals on behalf of victims of human rights violations. You are invited to join the network. Please check the date of the present action and do not write if it's over a month old.