Release Jonathan Elendu

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.