Muideen Olaniyi
16 October 2007
The family of a Niger Delta activist suspected of espionage, Mrs Judith Asuni, has petitioned President Umar Yar'Adua and the Human Rights Watch on account of the abuse of the activist's rights.
Judith Asuni is spending her 19th day in State Security Service (SSS) detention after she was arrested along with two Germans over espionage allegation.
According to a petition dated 13th October 2007 and signed by the eldest daughter of Dr Asuni, Dr. Bolanle Asuni-Limahn, Dr Asuni has been denied access to her counsel and family members and provision of medical attention delayed.
"Many of these denials were in flagrant disobedience of court orders on the rights of Dr Asuni as given severally by Justice Binta Nyako," the petition stated.
"As a leader who has made respect for human rights the cornerstone of your administration, we plead with you in the name of God to prevail on the SSS to respect the rights of Mrs Asuni and obey all the court orders given in that respect," the petition pleads".
The family disclosed that the 60-year-old activist has suffered electric shock in SSS detention but was not provided medical attention until 16 hours later in spite of frantic and persistent requests by her.
"She is presently carrying a cut in her hand and has not been provided with medical attention at the time of writing this appeal", the petition added.
The two Germans who were accused with Dr. Asuni have been released to the German Embassy in Nigeria.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2007 Daily Trust. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
