Release Jonathan Elendu
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Author:
n/a -
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The Federal Government of Nigeria
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Sponsored By:
The Igbo Legal Defense Council -
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His Excellency Musa Yaradua, the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria
Sen. David Mark, the Senate President
Hon. Oladimeji Sabur Bankole, Speaker of the House of Representatives
Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, the Federal Minister for Justice.
We, the undersigned, have heard with great alarm of the arrest of Mr. Jonathan Elendu in Abuja, on Saturday October 18, 2008. Mr. Elendu is a journalist with an online-based newspaper and a resident of the United States of America. The State Security Services (SSS) arrested Mr. Elendu on the pretense that they wanted him for routine questioning. They, however, seized his international passport and luggage and threw him into the gulag without due process. We are equally shocked that the government has denied Mr. Elendu access to his family and/or his attorney. It is disheartening, unconscionable and a violation of fundamental human rights and every applicable law that up till date, Mr. Elendu, has not been charged to court or appraised of the reason behind his illegal detention. His attorney, Mr. Momah, has followed up with a formal written request for Mr. Elendus release and an application for legal visit(s) but the government ignored the applications without any valid reason.
Speculations are rife that Mr. Elendus arrest was in connection with the recent leaks within the presidency, where pictures of the presidents 13-year old son were circulated online. Some of those pictures depicted the presidents 13-year old son playing with money in a room full of money, totting a short gun, "driving" an expensive open convertible car etc. While it is understandable that these pictures are embarrassing to say the least, this should call for a soul searching on the part of the first family (presidency) as opposed to intimidation or arrest of investigative journalist (s) who exposed their indiscretions. In any case, if this is the rationale behind Mr. Jonathan Elendus arrest, the government should charge him to court if they feel he violated any law under the constitution of Nigeria rather than intimidating,harassing and detaining him without due process. The continued detention of Mr. Elendu is an abuse of power, harassment and intimidation of the media as well as muffling of freedom of speech. This violates Article 19 of the of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which is recognized in international human rights law in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The ICCPR recognizes the right to freedom of speech as "the right to hold opinions without interference... Furthermore, it is disheartening that the government of President Musa Yardua, which claimed to respects the rule of law, appears to encourage the trampling of the rule of law underfoot. The detention of Mr. Elendu without charges is illegal and an embarrassment to the government of Nigeria and a serious dent on President Yardua.
We, the undersigned, therefore demand Mr. Jonathan Elendu be released immediately and without conditions so that he can return to his family and work. In addition we urge you to:
1.Guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Jonathan Elendu;
2.Assure that while in detention he is granted immediate and regular access to his family, a lawyer of his choice, and any medical treatment necessary;
3 Ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international and regional human rights instruments ratified by Nigeria.
Sen. David Mark, the Senate President
Hon. Oladimeji Sabur Bankole, Speaker of the House of Representatives
Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, the Federal Minister for Justice.
We, the undersigned, have heard with great alarm of the arrest of Mr. Jonathan Elendu in Abuja, on Saturday October 18, 2008. Mr. Elendu is a journalist with an online-based newspaper and a resident of the United States of America. The State Security Services (SSS) arrested Mr. Elendu on the pretense that they wanted him for routine questioning. They, however, seized his international passport and luggage and threw him into the gulag without due process. We are equally shocked that the government has denied Mr. Elendu access to his family and/or his attorney. It is disheartening, unconscionable and a violation of fundamental human rights and every applicable law that up till date, Mr. Elendu, has not been charged to court or appraised of the reason behind his illegal detention. His attorney, Mr. Momah, has followed up with a formal written request for Mr. Elendus release and an application for legal visit(s) but the government ignored the applications without any valid reason.
Speculations are rife that Mr. Elendus arrest was in connection with the recent leaks within the presidency, where pictures of the presidents 13-year old son were circulated online. Some of those pictures depicted the presidents 13-year old son playing with money in a room full of money, totting a short gun, "driving" an expensive open convertible car etc. While it is understandable that these pictures are embarrassing to say the least, this should call for a soul searching on the part of the first family (presidency) as opposed to intimidation or arrest of investigative journalist (s) who exposed their indiscretions. In any case, if this is the rationale behind Mr. Jonathan Elendus arrest, the government should charge him to court if they feel he violated any law under the constitution of Nigeria rather than intimidating,harassing and detaining him without due process. The continued detention of Mr. Elendu is an abuse of power, harassment and intimidation of the media as well as muffling of freedom of speech. This violates Article 19 of the of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which is recognized in international human rights law in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The ICCPR recognizes the right to freedom of speech as "the right to hold opinions without interference... Furthermore, it is disheartening that the government of President Musa Yardua, which claimed to respects the rule of law, appears to encourage the trampling of the rule of law underfoot. The detention of Mr. Elendu without charges is illegal and an embarrassment to the government of Nigeria and a serious dent on President Yardua.
We, the undersigned, therefore demand Mr. Jonathan Elendu be released immediately and without conditions so that he can return to his family and work. In addition we urge you to:
1.Guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Jonathan Elendu;
2.Assure that while in detention he is granted immediate and regular access to his family, a lawyer of his choice, and any medical treatment necessary;
3 Ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international and regional human rights instruments ratified by Nigeria.
113 Signatures
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Azuoma Anugom, Esq.
- Comments
- Release Jonathan Elendu Now, Justice Delayed is Justice Denied
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Steven S. Kueberuwa
- Comments
- In a democracy, only the law and not an individual, no matter how powerful, can be offended. And the power of any individual, no matter how highly placed, come from the people.
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Fubara David-West
- Comments
- The case of Elendu represents a microcosm of the difficulty Nigeria continues to have in finally closing the book on its tyrannical past with military dictatorships.
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Ezekiel C. Nwakwue
- Comments
- Charge Mr. Elendu to court so that he can have the opportunity to defend himself.
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joseph show
- Comments
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Austin Ifeanyi Anadu
- Comments
- Release Jonathan Elendu
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DAVID OBI
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Mr Okechukwu Okonjo
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Sir Tony Nammor
- Comments
- I strongly commend your efforts. Today is Mr ELENDU ; Tomorrow may be you or myself. This is what democracy and freedom of speech entails, Thanks
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Chukwudi Nwankwo, MD
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Ego Anadu
- Comments
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RAY OBINOZIE
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Ikenna Anokute
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Chukwuma S Agwunobi
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Human Rights, Justice and Peace Foundation
- Comments
- His continued detention is irresponsible and unwarranted and therefore smacks of intolerance by the fascist Yar'adua led government of Nigeria. He should therefore be released immediately and unconditionally.
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Benjamin Obiajulu Aduba
- Comments
- If the choice comes down between a free press and a government, I would rather have a free press.
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Centre for the Advancement of Children's and Women's Rights
- Comments
- Elendu's unlawful and detention by the SSS must be condemned by every Nigerian or group. We therefore demand his immediate release
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Centre for Human Empowerment, Advancement and Development
- Comments
- Elendu's detention without trial makes us wonder if Nigeria is really in a democracy. Otherwise, why hasn't he bee charged to court and or allowed access to his lawyers. Release Elendu now
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Dinma Osisiogu
- Comments
- You are innocent till proven guilty
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Eastern Progressives Movement
- Comments
- The SSS has no plausible reasons to continue to detain Elendu, except that it wants to suppress every dissenting voice against the Yar'adua-led government. It should release Elendu to redeem the battered image of the country, resulting from the criminal use of state power to suppress the truth as exemplified by the activities of Jonathan Elendu and other online journalists/reporters.
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Ezinwa Nwakuba
- Comments
- Freedom of Speech and Press must be respected in Nigeria.
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Godwin Chimeka
- Comments
- Is totally a violation of J. Elendu's fundamental human rights being arrested for merely speaking out by Nigeria's SSS...Is undemocratic and unconstitutional for the Nigerian government to perform such an awful act...It goes far to show how much Nigerian government negates human dignity and the rule of law...
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Emeka Madunagu
- Comments
- Elendu's arrest is distasteful and ridiculous. He should be released immediately.
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Comrade Chidi Nwosu
- Comments
- The continued detention of Elendu is a manifestation of traits of dictatorship by the morally bankrupt Yar'adua's government. It is not only a rape of the rule of law upon which the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is founded but also the return to camouflaged dictatorship in the ill-fated country. Nigerians must not therefore allow this to stand. Nigerians must rise and demand the immediate and unconditional release of Elendu. Nigerians must do this through nation-wide civil disobedience to bring the present illegitimate government to its knees.
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Emeka Iwunze
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Nwachukwu Anakwenze
- Comments
- Yes Ndi Igbo supports
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O.O.Osuji
- Comments
- .This reminds me of the old USSR where there is no freedom of speech.
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Ezejiofo Udeh
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Okpareke Martin
- Comments
- By this and other actions, this govt. is shwoing that its learned nothing from our past mistakes. SS should focus on investigating those responsible for our people impoverishment and not those who through untold hardship present the truth about our dire situation and reckless abandon which our rulers and their ward display vainness.
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Shantelle Oyan
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Modupe Odusanya
- Comments
- Our democracy is still young. It should not be raped this way
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Tajudeen Raji
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Vincent Otuonye
- Comments
- We are not in the Military era; we are in a democratic dispensation. Arbitrary arrest and detention of citizen without due process is contrary to every norm of civil rule. Bring charges against Mr. Elendu or release him.
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Nkiru O
- Comments
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Carl Ogbenna
- Comments
- Giving Mr Elendu a day in court will further prove that Nigeria practices the rule of law. Nigerians should be guaranteed a freedom of speech.
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Donald Aduba Sr
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Oguchi Nkwocha, MD
- Comments
- There is a penalty for human rights violations, and no country, State, or leader is immune
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Abike
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Chimezie Duru
- Comments
- May we live to see a day when we as Nigerian are allowed to express our views without risking arrest by the Government "elected" to protect us.
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Eddie C. Okwaraoha
- Comments
- Release him if he is innocent or charge him if he is guilty. The continued detention and/or arrest is uncalled for if he is innocent.
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OGOCHUKWU VICTOR ONWAEZE
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Amadiebub R Mbama
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Adey Oyenuga
- Comments
- Mr. Elendu must be released ASAP. All Nigerians must step forward and demand what is right.
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Dr. David Adewuyi
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Ada Madu
- Comments
- This is really a shame. The government should either charge Jonathan Elendu to court or release him
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tony egbe
- Comments
- please, release this man, if he has commited any crime, then charge him to court, else please release him.
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Eric Ayoola
- Comments
- To be taken seriously in the comity of nations, Nigeria must behave as befits a civillised country. Arresting and detaining a citizen and depriving him of his inalienable rights are not the acts of a civillised nation. Please release Elendu without delay or charge him and accord him all his rights under the law.
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Afamefuna Anawana
- Comments
- Charge him to court, if his actions call for that, however if he has not broken any of the laws of the land, I hereby join my brethren in demanding the immediate release of Jonathan Elendu!!!
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Paul Okojie
- Comments
- The rule of law is not a luxury and Nigeria is not the personal fiefdom of office holders. Those who have committed this outrage on our guaranteed rights deserve to be brought before the law and held to account only in this way can their misguided loyalty to the rich and powerful be cured.
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chima njoku
- Comments
- Nigerian leaders, it is time to join civilized nations and begin to do the right thing. Mr Elendu's arrest is not justified, release him immediately.
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113
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