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Free Jonathan Elendu
by Scott Gilbreath ~ October 31st, 2008
An international blogburst is happening today to call attention to the injustice visited upon blogger Jonathan Elendu (at right) by Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS). Mr Elendu was detained as he arrived on a flight from the United States on Saturday, 18 October, and held incommunicado for eleven days in apparent contravention of constitutional and statutory provisions requiring formal charges to be laid within 24 hours of an arrest. It was reported that he was subjected to physical and psychological torture.
Authorities said he was under investigation for “sponsoring a guerilla news agency”.
Domestic and international publicity forced his release on 29 October, but he is not free yet.
Unfortunately, although he is now receiving medical attention, Elendu is not actually free. His passport was not returned to him and therefore he is not free to return to his family in Michigan. Although he is no longer in detention, Elendu remains detained in Nigeria by the Nigerian government because without his travel documents, he does not have the right to leave Nigeria and return tohis residence in Michigan.
This technicality – free from SSS detention, but not free to return to his home – further suggests that the Nigerian government is not interested in respecting Elendu’s human rights.
Nigerian Curiosity reports that Elendu’s experience is not unique.
Foreign journalists have been arrested by the SSS in recent months because the government objected with their work. Nigerian citizens have been detained for no reason and lost their lives in SSS detention.
The blogburst is aimed at encouraging the Nigerian government to hand back Elendu’s passport so he can return to his home and family.
Join the Free Nigerian Blogger Jonathan Elendu Facebook group.
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October 31st, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Thank you so much for doing this. Human rights are the birthright of every individual. Will add this post to the the list
November 2nd, 2008 at 07:36 PM
[...] BLOGGER UNDER FIRE: “Free Jonathan Elendu” …. [...]