Jonathan Elendu a Nigerian blogger who is based in US was arrested on Saturday 18th October upon arrival in Nigeria, for “sponsoring a guerrilla news agency”. When Nigerian Curiosity dropped a note for me on the issue, I thought it was a joke, but alas it is real!
Jonathan Elendu is the blogger behind Elendu Reports. His writings focus on events happening in Nigeria and his articles covers activities of political office holders. I am not a fan of political news, and I simply prefer talking about financial survival in Nigeria above other national issues. However, I owe a duty to my conscience to decry this infringement of Mr. Jonathan Elendu’s basic human right. If he has committed a crime, he should be charged to court and not held indefinitely while being denied access to his family.
Article 19 – Universal Declaration of Human Rights says
“Everyone has right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
The spoke-person for the SSS was quoted as saying that Elendu activities have generated “national security issues” Everyone is wondering how the articles on Elendu Reports can be classified as such. If he is being held for another reason, it is necessary that the SSS make a press statement. Meanwhile, he should be charged to court immediately so that he can enforce his rights. The Nigerian constitution does not permit holding a citizen beyond 24hours! The SSS is not above the law (I hope).
I hereby call on all fellow Naija brothers and sisters at home and abroad to cry against this inhuman treatment of a fellow Nigerian. We must not go back to the pre-1999 days, when anything can be classified as “Treasonable Offense”
Nigerian Curiosity is keeping an update on this issue. Committee To Protect Bloggers is also keeping an update. Please do what you can. Digg, Stumble this post or any of the two links to create awareness online and attract the attention of the international community to intervene and press for the release of Jonathan Elendu. Remember, evil thrives when good people keep quiet!
Tags: Blogging, Human Right Abuse, Nigeria
Hi,
I would like to request for further updates if possible from your ends when and if Elendu get charged or released, so that I can keep the CPB site updated.
Cheers.
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@Victor
I will keep you update if I get any fresh news. Cheers.
This is my first time of hearing about this. I wonder when all these rubbish of denying citizens their right will stop in Nigeria.
RIGHT DENIED SOMEWHERE IS JUSTICE DEPRAVED EVERWHERE!
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I will help you get more exposure to this one. We can’t simply let things like this happen. Keep us posted on updates please.
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This is bad news. I thought Nigeria is running a democratic government.
This is sad.
Nigeria is indeed in a sorry state.
Don’t forget to join us in the online rally this Friday October 31st. Just use “FREE JONATHAN ELENDU NOW!” as the title of your blog post and FaceBook Status. Visit the Facebook page here or stop by Nigerian Curiosity.
Elendu is a Nigerian Blogger that was detained. He is now under medical care but is not free to return to his family in America. Hence the protest.
Take care!
[…] days ago, I wrote about Jonathan Elendu’s. He is a Nigerian blogger who lives in US. He was arrested by the Nigerian State Security Service, […]
The case of Jonathan Elendu is a clear reflection of the fact that the democracy in Nigeria is nothing but “democrazy”. This honestly, reduces The Nigeria image to rubish before the international community. I ask that Elendu be released immediatly to save us from global humiliation and embarrasment. Campagn for Jonathan Elendu’s freedom just begin.
Can we say that a Nigerian has no Basic rights? God! I am proud to be a citizen of Nigeria
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