NIGERIA: THREATS TO FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 002292

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: THREATS TO FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

REF: A. ABUJA 2212

B. ABUJA 1914

C. ABUJA 1887

Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: During a November 18 dinner with Foreign
Minister Ojo Maduekwe, Ambassador shared USG concerns over
the recent GON crackdown on the press, which included the
closure of one television station and the detention of
several journalists, including one American citizen. FonMin
replied that he would try to resolve the issues prior to his
forthcoming (December) trip to the U.S. Ambassador and RAOff
also plan to reach out to the National Security Agency (NSA)
about the increase of government infringement on media
outlets. We include a recap of recent events below. END
SUMMARY


2. (C) During a November 18 dinner with Foreign Minister Ojo
Maduekwe, Ambassador expressed USG concerns over recent press
freedom issues in Nigeria, including the closure of one
television station and the detention of several journalists,
including one Amcit. Ambassador told the FonMin that, if
similar incidents continue to occur, he would likely hear
them raised during his proposed December 1-6 trip to the U.S.
The FonMin said he would try to resolve these issues before
his travel. Ambassador is scheduled to have a more in-depth
meeting with the FonMin on November 30 prior to his
departure. Ambassador and RAOff also intend to reach out to
the National Security Advisor (NSA) to discuss the recent
media clampdown.


3. (C) The following is a recap of recent events:

-- On November 17, the State Security Service (SSS) raided
the corporate headquarters of "Leadership" newspaper, and
confiscated a computer belonging to Publisher Sam Nda Isaiah.
The SSS had previously detained Isaiah on November 14 and 15
and questioned him for eight hours each day. Media reports
speculate that the clampdown was in response to an erroneous
story about the President's health published by "Leadership"
on November 8 (Note: On both November 9 and 10, "Leadership"
published a front page retraction and apology for the report,
which the paper acknowledges printed false information. On
November 10, "This Day" newspaper reported that the President
intended to sue "Leadership" for libel. End Note).
(Comment: we suspect that the GON's action against
"Leadership" may also have been motivated by a Villa desire
to discover the source of a November 7 article, in which the
paper listed 20 names that it claimed would be submitted to
the National Assembly for confirmation as new Ministers. All
13 ministerial nominees submitted to the Senate on November
18 were on "Leadership's" earlier list. End comment.)

-- On October 29, Jonathan Elendu, owner and publisher of the
U.S.-based online news magazine Elendu Reports
(www.elendureports.com),was released on bail after nearly
two weeks in detention. State Security Services (SSS)
arrested Elendu on October 18 upon his arrival from the U.S.
at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and later
transferred him into the custody of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further questioning.
Although the SSS released Elendu without filing any charges
or stating why it detained him, Elendu Reports has run
several items recently speculating about President Yar'Adua's
ill health. The GON retains his passport and he is not
allowed to leave the country.

-- On October 28, the SSS arrested Emmanuel Emeka Asiwe, a
U.S. citizen and editor of the online magazine HuhuOnline
(www.huhuonline.com),upon his arrival at the Murtala
Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. HuhuOnline has also
run several items about the President's health in recent
days. Asiwe was released on bail on November 4 under
condition that he return for additional questioning. The SSS
retains Asiwe's U.S. passport and has forbidden him to leave
the country until the investigation is concluded.

-- On September 17, the National Broadcasting Commission

ABUJA 00002292 002 OF 002


(NBC) announced the suspension of operations and revocation
of license for Channels TV following its September 16 closure
by the SSS. Federal agents, led by Minister of Information
John Odey, shut down Channels TV in Lagos and Abuja for
broadcasting a "false news story" about the health of
President Yar'Adua. Five staff members -- Deputy
Editor-in-Chief John Ndukauba, Controller of News Ambrose
Okoh, General Manager Steve Judo, Regional Editor Bashiru
Adigun, and Station Manager Shola Olaiya -- were detained for
three days. On September 19, NBC allowed Channels TV to
resume broadcasting and confirmed the release of all Channels
staff without charges.


4. (C) COMMENT: Although GON interference with the press is
nothing new, the high-profile and frequency of recent events
has garnered international attention. The fact that all
those detained or harassed have recently reported on
President Yar'Adua's health strengthens the overall
impression of GON sensitivity on this issue. Despite his
promise of promoting the rule of law, President Yar'Adua has
yet to make a statement denouncing these recent incidents
restricting freedom of the press, a right included in the
Nigerian constitution. END COMMENT.


5. (U) This cable coordinated with Consulate Lagos.
Sanders