**Updates IFEX CH alerts dated 31 July, 7 June, 5 May, 21 April, 22 March, 24, 17, 8, 6 February, 20, 11 January 1995** According to reports from Rivers State, Nigeria, Ken Saro-Wiwa’s publishing office in Port Harcourt was broken into in late July 1995. His books and the manuscripts of several other writers are […]
**Updates IFEX CH alerts dated 31 July, 7 June, 5 May,
21 April, 22 March, 24, 17, 8, 6 February, 20, 11
January 1995**
According to reports from Rivers State, Nigeria, Ken Saro-Wiwa’s
publishing office in Port Harcourt was broken into in late July
1995. His books and the manuscripts of several other writers are
reported to have been destroyed in the raid. Saro-Wiwa himself is
said to have been interrogated at least three times since the
raid. On the third occasion, he is reported to have refused to
cooperate with security forces. He is now said to have been
denied access to all basic necessities, except food.
A week after the raid, four Ogoni people were arrested, possibly
in connection with the raid. They include key defence witness
Elder Lekue Lah-Loolo, chairman of the Movement for the Survival
of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) Crisis Management Committee; Batom
Mittee, the brother of Saro-Wiwa’s co-defendant Ledum Mitee, and
A. Kweku, a cameraman working for Saro-Wiwa’s publishing company
Saros.
The raid is thought to be linked to the broadcast of “Delta
Force” on the BBC World Service. The film is a follow-up to an
earlier documentary about the Ogoni, narrated by Ken Saro-Wiwa.
It is deeply critical of the role of Shell and the security
forces in the Ogoni situation.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to Nigerian authorities:
manuscripts by Ken Saro-Wiwa and other writers during a security
raid on Ken Saro-Wiwa’s publishing house in Port Harcourt
being deprived of basic necessities, including regular medical
treatment, and that key defence witnesses are among those who
have recently been arrested
Saros publishing company and the arrest of key defence witnesses
medical treatment and writing implements
is believed to be arbitrary, given the unfair nature of his trial
and the fact that he is believed to be held solely for expressing
his views on the Ogoni situation, which is in clear violation of
his right to freedom of expression
Appeals To
General Sani Abacha
Chairman
Provisional Ruling Council
Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces
State House
Abuja
Federal Capital Territory
Nigeria
Fax: + 234 95 232 138cc:
Lieutenant-General D. Oladipo Diya
Vice-Chairman
Provisional Ruling Council
State House
Abuja
Federal Capital Territory
Nigeria
Fax: + 234 95 232 138
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
