(WiPC/IFEX) – According to WiPC, poet Ogaga Ifowodo, who was arrested around 6 November 1997 on his return to Nigeria from the UK, is still reported to be held in solitary confinement with no access to family, lawyer or doctors (not previously reported by IFEX). Ifowodo’s arrest has not yet been officially acknowledged and no […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – According to WiPC, poet Ogaga Ifowodo, who was arrested around
6 November 1997 on his return to Nigeria from the UK, is still reported to
be held in solitary confinement
with no access to family, lawyer or doctors (not previously reported by
IFEX). Ifowodo’s arrest has not yet been officially acknowledged and no
charges have been preferred against him. There
are fears that he may be held in isolation in very harsh conditions.
An honorary fellow at the Heinrich B=F6ll Foundation in Germany, Ifowodo=
also
won the 1996 Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) award for poetry. He has
recently been elected as honorary member by the West German PEN Centre.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
be promptly charged and fairly tried
detention and that he be
allowed access to his family, a lawyer and a medical doctor of his choice
Appeals To
General Sani Abacha
Chairman, Provisional Ruling Council
State House, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory,
Nigeria Fax: + 234 9 523 2138Chief Tom Ikimi
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maputo Street PMB 130,=20
Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria Mr Justice
P.K. Nwokedi, Chairmanand to:
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.
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
