(IPI/IFEX) – Johann P. Fritz, the Director of the International Press Institute (IPI), demanded an immediate and objective examination by an international team of doctors into the circumstances and causes of the death of Chief Moshood Abiola. This would be the only way to remove completely any doubts and speculation with regard to his death, […]
(IPI/IFEX) – Johann P. Fritz, the Director of the International Press
Institute (IPI), demanded an immediate and objective examination by an
international team of
doctors into the circumstances and causes of the death of Chief Moshood
Abiola.
This would be the only way to remove completely any doubts and speculation
with regard to his death, Fritz said in Vienna. The fact that Chief Abiola
apparently died of a heart attack while meeting with a delegation of U.S.
officials is, according to IPI, insufficient evidence that he died of
natural causes.
The Nigerian government must carry part of the blame for Abiola’s death,
since the opposition leader remained in solitary confinement – after years
in detention under harsh conditions – despite the fact that the government
had promised U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan that he would be released.
Moshood Abiola was, in his capacity as a newspaper publisher, a member of
the IPI Executive Board.
