11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Director and a member of a NGO promoting conflict management in the Delta region were arrested by the State Security Service (SSS) for espionage ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23734]

"On September 26, in an incident that observers described as a government effort to intimidate local civil society groups, the SSS detained and charged with espionage the director of an NGO that worked to promote conflict management in the Delta region, Judith Asuni, and her Nigerian colleague Danjuma Saidu. Two German filmmakers, Florian Optiz and Andy Lehmann, were arrested on related charges for filming oil installations in the Delta. In the process of trying to collect evidence, the SSS searched other NGO offices in the Port Harcourt area that were known to have a connection to Asuni. On November 5, Asuni was released on her own recognizance on the condition that she appear at her trial on November 12. On November 6, however, the attorney general filed a motion for the dismissal of the charges against Asuni and the other three defendants."

Document(s): Open document

31.01.2008 - Source: Human Rights Watch

In March 2007 prominent human rights campaigner Anyakwee Nsirmovu received death threats and was attacked by a gang of armed men ("World Report 2008") [ID 22270]

"In March prominent human rights campaigner Anyakwee Nsirmovu, director of the Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law in Port Harcourt, received death threats and was attacked by a gang of armed men. The assault and threats were likely a reprisal for his outspoken criticism of corrupt state and local government officials in Rivers state."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Bukhari Bello was dismissed as Executive Secretary of the Nigerian National Human Rights Commission, seemingly due to his criticism of the government ("Annual Report 2007") [ID 20171]

"In June Bukhari Bello was dismissed as Executive Secretary of the Nigerian National Human Rights Commission, four years before the expiry of his contract. The termination of his tenure appeared to have been related to his comments on the repression of the media by security agencies and his criticism of the government."

Document(s): Open document

01.2007 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Journalists harassed and detained by security forces on several occasions; in July police broke up meeting of human rights groups ("World Report 2007") [ID 18982]

"Nigerian civil society and the country’s independent press are generally free to criticize the federal government and its policies, and a vibrant public debate exists around such issues. However, in 2006 security forces harassed and detained activists and journalists on several occasions for discussing issues of particular sensitivity. In July police in Abuja broke up a meeting of civil society groups convened to discuss the human rights record of the Obasanjo administration. As in other such cases, the police made use of the repressive Public Order Act, a widely denounced relic of military rule. In June two journalists were detained and charged with sedition in connection with a news report questioning the cost and age of a recently acquired presidential jet."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

3 men arrested in August for printing materials for international Campaign Against Impunity coalition of human rights groups ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 17608]

"On 1 and 2 August, three men were arrested and detained without charge until 4 August. The reason for their arrest appeared to be that they were printing materials for the international Campaign Against Impunity coalition of human rights groups, and had copies of the Interpol arrest warrant for Charles Taylor."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

CLEEN won lawsuit against government ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46036],  [ID 17408]

"CLEEN won its September 2004 lawsuit against the government over the 2002 seizure of its human rights reports and was awarded $69,230 (9 million naira). However, the Nigerian Customs Service neither paid the award nor returned the seized books. CLEEN announced that it would file an additional suit in 2006 seeking the court's permission to auction customs assets to pay the damages."

Document(s): Open document

09.02.2004 - Source: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

Query response on the Iguelaba Social Development Forum, including its members and their current situation; whether some members have been arrested during a 1 October 2001 peaceful demonstration and if so, their whereabouts ("The Iguelaba Social Development Forum, including its members and their current situation; whether some members have been arrested during a 1 October 2001 peaceful demonstration and if so, their whereabouts (2001-February 2004) [NGA42378.E]") [ID 24741]

Document(s): Open document

04.04.2003 - Source: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

Query response on the River State Youth Development Association (RYDA); structure, activities and treatment of members by the police ("River State Youth Development Association (RYDA); structure, activities and treatment of members by the police [NGA41409.E]") [ID 24757]

Document(s): Open document