On 4 July 1996, IPI expressed concerned at measures taken against Hassan Anwar, the designated correspondent in Nigeria for the Middle East News Agency (MENA). Anwar had reportedly received an official entry visa from the Nigerian Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, after presenting documents designating him as the MENA correspondent in Abuja, Nigeria. Upon his arrival […]
On 4 July 1996, IPI expressed concerned at measures taken against
Hassan Anwar, the designated correspondent in Nigeria for the
Middle East News Agency (MENA).
Anwar had reportedly received an official entry visa from the
Nigerian Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, after presenting documents
designating him as the MENA correspondent in Abuja, Nigeria. Upon
his arrival in Nigeria, on 11 June, he presented himself to
officials at the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Information. He
was received by the Minister of Information, who welcomed him and
agreed to finalise procedures to accredit him as a foreign
correspondent.
Upon approval of the Ministry of Information, Anwar approached
Nigerian security authorities on 24 June seeking the residence
permit he would need prior to receiving official permission to
begin his press work. However, he was suddenly detained and
accused that some “alleged” organisations had sent him to Nigeria
to carry out a “vague mission.” He was detained for one week and
only released after the intervention of the Egyptian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and its Ambassador to Nigeria. Anwar was ordered
to leave Nigeria immediately. He arrived in Egypt on 1 July.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to Nigerian authorities:
on freedom of the press
allowed to return to Nigeria to perform his journalistic work free
from harassment and obstacles
Appeals To
His Excellency General Sani Abacha
Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council and Commander-in-Chief
of the Armed Forces
State House
Abuja
Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
Fax: +234 95 232 138
His Excellency Lieutenant-General D. Oladipo Diya
Vice-Chairman
Provisional Ruling Council
State House
Abuja
Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
Fax: +234 95 232 138
His Excellency Michael Agbamuche
Attorney General and Minister of Justice
Federal Ministry of Justice
Lagos, Nigeria
Fax: +234 95 232 138
the diplomatic representative of your country to Nigeria
the Nigerian diplomatic representative to your country
(in Canada)
High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
295 Metcalfe St.
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 1R9 Canada
Fax: +1 613 236 0529
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
