The president of the Nigerian Democratic Movement (NDC) in Washington, DC, and a researcher on Nigeria at Amnesty International, London, United Kingdom, stated in an interview, that they are not aware of arrests of members of pro-democracy movements such as the Campaign for Democracy (CD), or other political activists (2 Oct. 1998). The CD was represented at the 29-30 August 1998, pro-democracy and human rights organisations in London, on "Challenges of Democratisation in Nigeria" (Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) 2 October 1998). For additional information on this meeting, please consult the attached communiqué.

However, Africa Research Bulletin of July 1998 states that when General Abubakar assumed power, pro-democracy activists and other governments planned to stage a protest match. Police reportedly arrested the organiser, Gani Fawehinmi, "a lawyer and leading dissident," along with Dupe Abiola, one of the wives of late Moshood Abiola. Gani Fawehinmi was later released, according to the source (ibid).

The president of the NDC also stated that the CD and National Democratic Coalition (NDC) are still actively advocating for democratic reforms in Nigeria because they are not convinced that the current government is democratic enough since repressive decrees remain in place. He also said that the government has released prominent political detainees but there are many other people who remain in Nigerian prisons today (ibid.).

According to the Post Express of Nigeria, the following people detained under the Abacha regime were released: Chief Olu Falae, former secretary to the Government of the Federation; Dr. Fredrick Fasheun; former governmor of Kano State, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, former National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Sule Lamido; pioneer Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO); Ayo Opadokun and former President of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Olisa Agbakoba" ([internet: http://ww.postexpresswired.com/postexpre..[accessed 1 Oct. 1998). Others released include: "former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Mr. Segun Maiyegun, Moses Adeke Akinmola, Lewis Aimola, Olayinka Festus Adebayo, Mashood Yahaya, Musa Okoiyafo, Sukare Mohammed, Olugbenga Odumade, Mashood Adekunle Raji, Adeyemo Femi and Layi Odumade (ibid.). The releases are corroborated by West Africa magazine (6 July -26 July 1998)

President Abubakar has reportedly ordered the release of two other prominent detainees, Beko Ransome-Kuti and Gen. Obasanjo" and dropped all charges against political exiles, and 20 Ogoni activists who were arrested along with Ken Saro Wiwa were released (Africa Confidential 11 Sept.1998).

Others detainees who were released include, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, deposed Sultan of Sokoto, Chris Anyanwo [Anyanwu], Owen Udah, Chief Olabiyi Durojayi, Frank Kokori, Nelson Dabidi, Chief Bola Ige, and 10 political detainees including "three well-known journalists, Ben Charles Obi, George Mbah and Kunle Ajibade, who had reportedly been sentenced by a secret military tribunal in connection with an alleged 1995 plot to overthrow General Sani Abacha ( Africa Confidential 11 September 1998, Africa Research Bulletin Aug. 1998, 13169, ibid.; July 1998; Lettres des rapporteurs sans frontiers).

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.

Africa Confidential [London]. 11 September 1998. Vol. 39. No. 18. "Nigeria: Parties at Work."

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. August 1998. Vol. 35. No. 7. "Nigeria After Abiola."

_____. July 1998. Vol. 35. No. 6. "Nigeria: Abacha Dead."

Amnesty International, London, U.K. 2 October 1998. Telephone interview with Researcher on Nigeria.

Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD). 2 October 1998. Telephone interview and Letter sent to the Research Directorate.

Lettres de reporteurs sans frontiers [Paris]. 29 June 1998. No. 179. "Nigeria: Christina Anyanwu enfin libre."

Nigerian Democratic Movement (NDM). 2 October 1998. Telephone interview with president.

Post Express [Lagos]. "Falae, Agbakoba, Others Released." [Internet]. http://www.postexpresswird.com/postexpre...> [Accessed 1 Oct. 1998].

West Africa [London]. 6 July-26 July 1998. "Nigeria: Abubakar's New Deal.'