1.

The Civil Disturbances Special Tribunal, Decree No.2 was established following the religious riots in Kaduna in 1987. It was set up to try some of the 600 arrested during the disturbances. ["Nigeria Establishes Special Appeals Tribunal", BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 30 August 1986.] [ibid. p.12.] Although the Tribunal was empowered to impose the death sentence, Amnesty International reports none have been passed. The Civil Disturbances Special Tribunal Decree No.2 provided for the establishment of a special federal court with jurisdiction over a wide range of offenses under the Criminal and Penal Code, including the capital offenses of treason and murder. [ibid. p.12.] Some of the other offenses covered by this decree are unlawful assembly, demolition of buildings during riots, insults to a religion, disturbing religious worship, arson and membership in unlawful societies. [BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, "Nigeria Issues Decrees on Civil Unrest and Religious Societies", 02 April 1987.] This Tribunal does not allow any appeal to a higher court. Of the 160 people tried by the tribunal chaired by a Supreme Court Judge, 75 were convicted and sentenced to terms of imprisonment. [Nigeria: Amnesty International 1989, p.12.]

The ban on religious activities placed throughout Nigeria following the 1987 religious riots is slowly being lifted. In particular, the ban placed in the Ayetoro area in Ondo State was lifted in December 1988. [BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, from Radio Nigeria, 29 December 1988.] Police clearance is still required for any public processions. [ibid.] However, a new ban on religious activities was placed in Ayeeshio, Ondo State on 14 August 1989. No reason was given for the decision. [BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, from Radio Nigeria, 14 August 1989.]

The Sultan of Sokoto carries much political weight, not only as the leader of the Moslems in Nigeria, but also as the traditional head of the northern region of Nigeria. ["Nigeria: Intruding on Tradition", Africa Confidential, 18 November 1988, p.1.] Although much of the power attributed to traditional leaders has been stripped away by successive civilian and military governments, their authority was evidenced by the passion they aroused in their subjects in November 1989. The occasion was the government's endorsement of Sultan candidate Ibrahim Daskuki, a modernist, contrary to the people's choice of traditionalist Muhammed Maccido. [ibid.] A riot broke out in which 10 people were reported killed following the installation of the government candidate. [Reuters, 28 July 1989.]

Alhaji Maccido's supporters wanted him elected to the sultanate because they believed his extensive Islamic training would further advance the Islamatization of Nigeria and the dominance of the North. [Africa Confidential, 18 November 1989, p.2.]

The government of Nigeria has come up with a formula for the governing of the country by civilians from two new and pre-arranged political parties. [ Reuters, 9 July 1989, AM Cycle.] This was done in an effort to move the country away from the potentially dangerous economic conditions affecting different regions of the country - often antagonizing the delicate balance between the Moslems and the Christians. [ibid.] When the new National Citizenship identity cards were inaugurated by the president, Moslems took exception to the symbol of the Christian cross forming the background of the cards. They accused the government of shifting away from the policy of neutrality on religious matters and favouring Christianity as the country's official religion. [BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, from Iran Agency dispatch, 28 September 1989.] They also claimed that the government has consistently denied them the full implementation of Sharia, Islamic Law, throughout the country. [ibid.] Religious tensions have run high in Nigeria, where some people suggest that the two party system will create problems by polarizing the two religions into their own political parties. [James Brook, "Nigerian Leader's Political Agility Keeps Trouble at Bay and Him in Power", The New York Times, 11 August 1988.]

2. Showing their resentment towards the President's determination to keep a Nigeria secular state, in June 1988 Moslems in Kaduna jeered and threw stones at his motorcade headed for Friday prayers. Sixty people were arrested on that occasion. [ibid.] Riot police closed the campus of Kaduna Polytechnic School after Moslem students destroyed a Christian chapel under construction in March 1988. [" Police sent to Quell Religious Violence at Nigerian School", The Associated Press, 9 March 1988, AM Cycle.] Ten students were hurt during the disturbances. [ibid.] Further disturbances in Gongola state resulted in the deaths of 26 people and the burning of over 300 houses. [BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 2 June 1988.] Nigerian radio reported on 31 May that the fighting that caused 5,000 people to flee the violence which had spread to neighbouring Bauchi state. The government is maintaining that the disturbances which resulted in the arrest of 59 people, had no religious basis. [ibid.]

Attached please find excerpts from the following documents:

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts for 2 June 1988, 14 August 1989, 28

September 1989.

The Associated Press, 9 March 1988, AM Cycle.

James Brook, "Nigeria Leader's Political Agility Keeps Trouble At Bay and

Him In Power", The New York Times, 11 August 1988.

Reuters 15 January 1990, AM Cycle. 1