Sources state that Chief Olu Falae was arrested and detained by security agents for his alleged involvement in bomb explosions that took place in Lagos in January 1997 (Reuters 11 Jan. 1997; AI 14 Jan. 1997; AFP 28 Feb. 1997). According to a 14 January 1997 Amnesty International Urgent Action, the leading member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and former minister of Finance, Chief Olu Falae "may be a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned on account of his non-violent political views." In a letter of 11 April 1998, faxed to the Research Directorate, the Executive Secretary of NADECO in London claimed that Chief Olu Falae is "being held as a punitive measure for not co-operative with the evil régime". The Executive Secretary specified that Chief Olu Falae refused to participate "in the flawed political transition process of the military in line with NADECO's policy directive." According to both NADECO representatives in London and in Washington D.C., Chief Olu Falae remains in prison, being held without trial (15 Apr. 1998; 11 Apr. 1998).

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.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 28 February 1997. "Britain Denies Receiving Request To Extradite Nigerian Exiles." (NEXIS)

Amnesty International. 14 January 1997. Urgent Action: Fear of Ill-Treatment/ Possible Prisoner of Conscience. (AI Index: AFR 44/02/97). London: Amnesty International.

National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Washington D.C. 15 April 1998. Letter faxed by the Administrative Director to the Research Directorate.

_____. London. 11 April 1998. Letter faxed by the Executive Secretary to the Research Directorate.

Reuters. 11 January 1997. BC Cycle. "Nigeria Detains Ex-minister over Bombs, Papers Say." (NEXIS)