Several sources reported an anti-Abacha rally held in Yaba, Lagos on 3 March 1998 that was organized by the United Action for Democracy (UAD), "a coalition of 26 pro-democracy and human rights groups" (Post Express 25 Mar. 1998). In the sources consulted by the Research Directorate there is no specific reference to participation by Campaign for Democracy at that location and on that day.

Reuters reported that the UAD had named the rally the "Five Million Man March" and that it was intended to demonstrate the opposition of the coalition to Abacha becoming a civilian president (3 Mar. 1998). Europa reported that the UAD organized demonstrations in early March 1998 to counter those organized by Youth Earnestly Ask for Abacha (YEAA) in favour of Abacha as a civilian candidate for president (1998). The Voice of Nigeria quoted organizers of the pro-Abacha march, that took place in Abuja, as saying the UAD rally would "amount to open confrontation to attempt to off-stage the Abuja march" they had organized (4 Mar. 1998).

Estimates on the number of participants at the UAD rally range from 1,000 to 10,000 people (Keesing's Mar. 1998; The Journal 13 Mar. 1998; Post Express 5 Mar. 1998b). The International Freedom of Expression Exchange stated that police blocked off areas of the city prior to the scheduled beginning of the rally at 3 p.m. and that they arrested journalists who arrived early at 11 a.m. (12 Mar. 1998). Those journalists arrested were released the same day (ibid.). Two Post Express articles provide details of events that day and include references to different speakers, the use of tear gas, movements of the demonstrators and feared deaths of police (5 Mar. 1998a&b). Other sources confirm the use of tear gas and batons on the part of police to break up the rally (Reuters 4 Mar. 1998; CNN 4 Mar. 1998). Police subsequently confirmed injuries to four officers (Post Express 6 March 1998b). No mention could be found in the sources of the presence of a platform or a dramatic performance occurring during the UAD rally in Lagos, although there are several reports of performances and carnivals which were televised at the pro-Abacha rally in Abuja on the same day (CNN 4 Mar. 1998; DPA 4 Mar. 1998; Reuters 3 Mar. 1998).

Different sources report varying number of persons arrested, ranging from AP's "at least 10 students" (3 Mar. 1998), to twenty people (DPA 4 Mar. 1998; Reuters 3 Mar. 1998), to a specific figure of 37 people (Lawyer to Lawyer Network Mar. 1998; Human Rights Action Network 16 Mar. 1998; IPS 6 Mar. 1998). Those arrested included Olisa Agbakoba, the leader of the UAD, who was reported to have been beaten in the police station, held overnight and released the next day after appearing before a magistrate (Human Rights Actions Network 16 Mar. 1998; Lawyer to Lawyer Network Mar. 1998). Amnesty International reported he was "gunbutted in the face" (24 Mar. 1998), while Human Rights Actions Network stated he suffered eye injuries (16 Mar. 1998). He was charged under the Criminal Code with unlawful assembly (Lawyer to Lawyer Network Mar. 1998) and the police justified his arrest by stating that the rally had no official permit (Human Rights Actions Network 16 Mar. 1998; Post Express 6 Mar. 1998b). The police said that those other persons arrested would be charged (The Journal 13 Mar. 1998; Reuters 4 Mar. 1998; CNN 4 Mar. 1998). The Research Directorate has been unable to confirm whether those persons were in fact charged and when, or if, they have been released.

Subsequent to the rally, the UAD filed in court a $900 million naira (about US $10 million) suit against the government for its disruption of the rally and use of force (IPS 6 Mar. 1998; Post Express 6 Mar. 1998). Those named in the suit included Abacha and the inspector-general of police (ibid.; IPS 6 Mar. 1998). Agbakoba filed a separate suit of 100 million naira (ibid.; Post Express 6 Mar. 1998a) and said that he wanted "the High Court to declare that the alleged beating of him by police with horse whips, batons and gun butts, amount to a violation of his rights as guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Right" (ibid.). The Human Rights Action Network also stated that Olisa Agbakoba, following his release, appealed to the High Federal Court, "challenging his arrest and requesting that he be awarded damages" (16 Mar. 1998). Post Express reported on 25 March 1998 that the case had been deferred by the High Court until 20 May 1998. The Research Directorate has been unable to determine the outcome of these court actions or whether rally organizers are still sought by police.

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.

Associated Press (AP). 3 March 1998. "Police Disperse Pro-Democracry Rally in Nigeria." (NEXIS)

CNN. 4 March 1998. "Nigeria's Anti-Government Protests to Continue." [Internet] www.europe.cnn.com [Accessed 24 Nov. 1998]

Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA). 4 March 1998. "Pro-Abacha Rally in Nigeria Continues for Second Day." (NEXIS)

The Europa World Year Book 1998. 1998. 39th ed. Vol. 1. London: Europa Publications.

Human Rights Actions Network. 16 March 1998. "Action Request: Nigeria: Arrest of Leading Human Rights Defender." [Internet] www.derechos.org [Accessed 24 Nov. 1998]

International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX). 12 March 1998. "Nigeria; Journalists Beaten and Arrested." (Africa News/NEXIS)

Inter Press Service (IPS). 6 March 1998. Remi Oyo. "Politics - Nigeria: Human Rights Groups Take Government to Court." [Internet] www.oneworld.org [Accessed 24 Nov. 1998]

The Journal. 13 March 1998. "Nigeria Awaits Abacha's Decision." (Ethnic News Watch/NEXIS)

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. March 1998. "Nigeria: Rallies for and Against Abacha's Candidacy."

Lawyer to Lawyer Network. March 1998. "Olisa Agbakoba - Nigeria." [Internet] www.lchr.org [Accessed 24 Nov. 1998]

Post Express [Lagos]. 25 March 1998. Lukkey Abawuru. "Court Defers Agbakoba's N100m Suit Against Abacha." [Internet] www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 24 Nov. 1998]

_____. 6 March 1998a. Frank Alabi, Yemisi Fadairo and Lukkey Abawuru. "UAD Commends Lagosians for Defying Police." [Internet] www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 24 Nov. 1998]

_____. 6 March 1998b. Jude Owuamanam and Frank Oshanugor. "30 in Detention Over Lagos Rally." [Internet] www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 24 Nov. 1998]

_____. 5 March 1998a. Frank Alabi and Chris Ndiribe. "Pro-Democracy Activists Defy Police, Hold Rally in Lagos - Two Policemen Feared Dead." [Internet] www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 24 Nov. 1998]

_____. 5 March 1998b. Yemisi Fadairo, Bassey Udo, Godwin Adindu, Frank Oshanugor, Fabian Ozor and Daniel Kanu. "Agbakoba, Others Arrested in Lagos." [Internet] www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed 24 Nov. 1998]

Reuters. 4 March 1998. "Nigerian Protests Will Continue, Opposition Says." [Internet] www.interactive.cfra.com [Accessed 24 Nov. 1998]

_____. 3 March 1998. "Rival Rallies in Nigeria Support, Oppose Abacha." [Internet] www.europe.cnn.com [Accessed 24 Nov. 1998]

Voice of Nigeria [Lagos, in English]. 4 March 1998. "Nigeria: Commentary on 2 Million Youth March." (FBIS-AFR-98-063 4 Mar. 1998/WNC)