It's apparent that any Pruners in Nigeria had better be careful if they're snapping away with their digital cameras out there in the Delta. The Nigerian State Security Service (SSS) in a thinly disguised attempt to stop foreigners depicting Nigeria in its true state and show only the rosy version of life in this corrupt, dump which passes for a nation
Now a 60 year-old American, Judith Asuni, who runs a non-governmental organisation called Academic Associates Peace Works which promotes understanding, conflict management, transparency and sustainable development in the Niger Delta, has been charged with breaching the Official Secrets Act for helping the German film makers and allegedly advising them to lie to the Nigerian embassy in Germany to get visas. She has been refused bail by the courts. After the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta has trumpeted its release of a Briton who was held hostage, telling everyone he was being held in inhumane conditions, it is interesting to note that Judith Asuni has been held in solitary confinement for 8 days, denied medical treatment for 15 hours after suffering a severe electric shock and denied access to her lawyer. The two Germans who were arrested have been charged with having acted "for a purpose prejudicial to Nigerian security" which prosecutors have not explained. The two Germans are also facing five criminal charges for filming and photographing at "protected places" in the Niger Delta and making false declarations to get visas. They pleaded not guilty. They have been granted bail on condition that they provide guarantees that they will return to face trial, signed by German embassy officials who do not have diplomatic immunity.
This is a nasty and sinister turn of events in a country which now claims to be a democracy under a new President who claims to be championing a new spirit in Nigerian politics fighting against corruption and the old ways. This harks back to the dark days of the Babahgida regime where poeple disappeared, were arrested without charges and prominent journalists like Ken Saro-Wiwa were murdered by the state.
Anyone who thinks that Nigeria is now improving under this regime which has come to power after elections widely condemned by most as totally corrupt and illegal, think again. Think twice before criticising any of the crap you see on a daily basis out here - except when you leave, then make sure you know the whole world knows about it