The Apapo Omo Oodua [called Egbe Apapo Omo Oodua in other sources] is reportedly an "umbrella organization" of "over 20 [Yoruba] militant affliate organisations," founded during the Abacha regime by the late Ola Oni, a marxist former lecturer at the University of Ibadan, who died in December 1999 (Post Express Wired 19 Jan. 2001; Tempo 29 Dec. 1999).

Apapo Omo Oodua's activities are coordinated from its secretariat located on the ground floor of the Oni's home, which also serves as the offices of Action Women of Nigeria, an organization run by Kehinde, Ola Oni's wife (ibid.). Its national secretary is a Dr. Lawrence, M. Ajaiyeoba (Vanguard 9 July 2000).

Late in March 2001, "the police clashed with some members of the banned OPC (Oodua People's Congress) at the residence of the late Ola - Oni leading to the death of one person" (Vanguard 22 Mar. 2001). According to this source, Mrs. Kehinde Oni and seven others including her sons, Olankunle Oni, and Olawale Ola-Oni were charged with unlawful assembly; unlawful possession of a firearm; and attempt to commit murder and denied bail (ibid., 22 Mar. 2001; This Day 22 Mar. 2001).

In a statement entitled "Police Attack on Egbe Omo Oodua," Afenifere, a "pan Yoruba socio-political organisation," decried the harassment of members of Egbe Apapo Omo Oodua charging that

armed policemen stormed a meeting of Egbe Amo Oodua, which was being held in the residence of the late Comrade Ola Oni, the founding leader of the group, ostensibly to arrest OPC members. Invariably, this unwarranted attack led to the arrest, maiming, torture and killing of innocent persons and wanton destruction of property (Vanguard, 26 Mar. 2001).

Information on whether members of Apapo Omo Oodua carry identity cards, on their description, and whether they could be verified by the North American organization could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

The Day [Lagos]. 22 March 2001. Ademola Adeyemo. "Ola Oni's Widow, Son Charged with Murder." http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200103220210.html [Accessed://17 May 2001]

Post Express Wired [Ikeja]. 19 January 2000. "Controversy Trails Ola Oni's Burial." http://www.postexpresswired.com/po...f4e3b8525686a005bbb4?OpenDocument [Accessed: 17 May 2001]

Vanguard [Lagos]. 26 March 2001. "Afenifere Warns Against Police Occupation of Yoruba States." http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200103260156.html [Accessed: 17 May 2001]

_____. 22 March 2001. Sina Babasola. "Ola Oni's Widow Arraigned Over Unlawful Assembly." http://www.vanguardngr.com/19032001/wl220301.htm [Accessed: 17 May 2001]

_____. 9 July 2000. Sina Babasola. "Odua Stages Procession for Abiola, Warns Against Coup." (NEXIS)

Africa News Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1999. 2000. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.

IRB Databases. LEXIS/NEXIS.

Keesing's Record of World Events.

Resource Centre. Country File. Nigeria.

West Africa.

Internet sites including,

All Africa News.

Post Express Wired.

Search Engines including:

Google

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