April, 09 2010, 10:36am EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7413 5566,After hours: +44 7778 472 126,Email:,press@amnesty.org
Activists Assaulted and Illegally Detained by Nigerian Police
LONDON
Amnesty International today called on the Nigerian authorities to
launch immediate investigations into the assault and detention of three
human rights activists by police in the city of Port Harcourt.
Isaac Asume Osuoka, AkpoBari Celestine and Ken Henshaw from
non-governmental organisation Social Action, which campaigns for
environmental justice and human rights in Nigeria, were stopped and
detained by police on 5 April after leaving their office.
AkpoBari Celestine said he was repeatedly hit with the butt of a
gun, poked with a barrel in his arms and legs and slapped in the face,
as at least six armed men, including at least three uniformed police
officers, forced the activists out of their car and into a white van
without asking the victims for any form of identification.
The three men were not told why they were stopped and detained but were taken to Olu Obasanjo police station in Port Harcourt.
"They knew who we were," said Isaac Asume Osuoka.
"When we were stopped they didn't ask for our names, they didn't ask
to see a driver's licence, they didn't ask for any car documents."
At the police station, the activists were refused access to legal counsel.
AkpoBari Celestine said he was denied medical treatment for the injuries sustained while being detained.
The activists were released without charge around midnight, after
alerting friends and colleagues in the city who intervened on their
behalf.
"The excessive use of force and arbitrary detention suffered by
these men must be fully investigated and the perpetrators brought to
justice," said Erwin van der Borght, Africa Director at Amnesty
International.
The clinic where AkboBari Celestine sought treatment following his
release later refused to give him the medical report that detailed his
injuries, the activists believe staff at the clinic may have been
intimidated by the police.
A Medical report carried out in Austria, where the activist is
holding talks about human rights in the Niger Delta, found that he
sustained several bruises on his arms and legs from the beating he
received from the police.
"The government must ensure that human rights defenders can carry
out their work without interference, obstacles, discrimination or fear
of retaliation," said Erwin van der Borght.
"These activists have a right to an independent, impartial and
competent review of complaints and, where violations are found to have
taken place, to obtain redress."
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) continues to commit a wide range of
human rights violations with impunity, including unlawful killings,
torture, other ill-treatment and enforced disappearances.
Some people are targeted for failing to pay bribes and several have been tortured to death in police detention.
Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights for all. Our supporters are outraged by human rights abuses but inspired by hope for a better world - so we work to improve human rights through campaigning and international solidarity. We have more than 2.2 million members and subscribers in more than 150 countries and regions and we coordinate this support to act for justice on a wide range of issues.
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