(WiPC/IFEX) – At the year’s end, the Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is becoming increasingly concerned by the escalation of attacks on writers and journalists in Nigeria. Four journalists remain in long-term detention, and, given the notoriously bad prison conditions in the country’s prisons – one well-known political prisoner (not a writer) recently […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – At the year’s end, the Writers in Prison Committee
of International PEN is becoming increasingly concerned by the
escalation of attacks on writers and journalists in Nigeria.
Four journalists remain in long-term detention, and, given the
notoriously bad prison conditions in the country’s prisons – one
well-known political prisoner (not a writer) recently died –
fears for their health and safety grow. Moreover, a new wave of
arrests has taken place with the apparent aim of striking terror
into Nigeria’s literary and journalistic communities and stifling
all criticism of General Sani Abacha’s regime.
On 8 December, a prominent political prisoner, Major-General
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, died in custody. Though not a writer, he was
one among forty people, including four journalists on PEN’s case
list, accused of complicity in an alleged coup attempt and
imprisoned after grossly unfair trials. It is strongly suspected
that his death was due to medical neglect and malnutrition; other
prisoners from this group are reported to have suffered severe
health problems as a result of the extremely poor conditions that
are endemic in Nigeria’s prisons.
PEN now regards the following four journalists as being at risk
through ill-treatment and neglect: Kunle Ajibade, Christine
Anyanwu, George Mbah and Ben Charles Obi. Arrested in May or June
1995, they are each serving fifteen-year sentences because of
articles they published regarding the alleged coup attempt. PEN
regards their imprisonment as a violation of their right to free
expression.
Meanwhile, in recent months, there has been a disturbing fresh
wave of arrests of journalists and writers. PEN has details of
the following eleven people detained, it would appear, merely as
a result of their published work:
Mohammed Adamu, chief editor of “African Concord”, detained 27
July; Akinwumi Adesokan, novelist and former literary
correspondent for “The News”, arrested 12 November; Jenkins
Alumona, editor of “The News”, arrested 8 November; Adetokunbo
Fakeye, defence correspondent for “PM News”, arrested 25 October;
Ogaga Ifowodo, poet and journalist, arrested 6 November on return
from the Edinburgh Commonwealth meeting; Terkum Kokoh and Folu
Oyewusi, journalists respectively with “The Democrat” and “The
Daily Sketch”, arrested 1 October; Babafemi Ojudu, group managing
editor of “The News”, “Tempo” and “PM News”, arrested 17 November
1997; Soji Omotunde, editor of “African Concord”, arrested 25
October; Onome Osifo-Whiskey, managing editor of “Tell” magazine,
arrested 10 November; Rafiu Salau, administrative manager of “The
News”, “Tempo” and “PM News”, arrested 18 November.
As the year closes, International PEN calls on the Nigerian
authorities to release immediately and unconditionally all the
above-mentioned writers and journalists as a step toward ending
the pattern of repression and censorship that has dogged Nigerian
civil society in recent years. It calls on President Sani Abacha
to begin the New Year with a forceful demonstration of his
commitment to freedom of expression by allowing the Nigerian
literary and journalistic communities the freedom they need to
function as reporters and commentators on all matters of
importance to their readers.
Appeals To
General Sani Abacha
Chairman, Provisional Ruling Council
State House, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory
Fax: + 234 9 523 2138With copies if possible to:
Chief Tom Ikimi
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maputo Street
PMB 130, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, NigeriaMr Justice P.K. Nwokedi, Chairman
National Human Rights Commission
National Assembly Complex, Maitama
PMB 444, Garki
Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeriaand to the diplomatic representative of Nigeria accredited to
your country.
