TNAG-0652-FCO40-801-Planning-Staff-papers-on-human-rights-and-foreign-policy-cou-1977 — Page 159

CONFIDENTIAL

NIGERIA

Report by British High Commission, Lagos

Right No.

(i)

(ii)

Use of detention for political reasons is not a feature of the present regime. There may still be some detainees from the Gowon era but the number has been re- duced and is probably less than 30. The new National Security Organisation has a propensity for arbitrary detention without any apparent constraint.

Torture is not used, though in- terrogation is accompanied on occasion by physical violence.

Rating suggested by Post

4

1

(iii)

There is officially no slavery in Nigeria. But many servants and others are employed in conditions of near-servitude.

1

(iv)

Speech is, in theory, free, subject (in addition to normal laws of libel and slander) to the provisions of the rarely-used Public Officers (Protection) Decree which prohibits criticism of officials. But, since 29 July 1975, the government has taken a controlling interest in all newspapers, and TV and radio stations are also government-run: hence the media frequently look to the govern- ment for guidance on sensitive issues. There have been recent incidents of interrogation and temporary detention for speech considered prejudicial to national security.

(v) The judiciary are jealous of their in-

dependence. But there is an impression that, in cases in which the government is interested, judges, who at lower levels are sometimes corrupt, are not likely to rule in a way unpalatable to the FMG.

(vi)

Trade unions function openly there were over 800 in Nigeria by the last authoritative count but, since March

/1976

CONFIDENTIAL

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