On Jonathan Elendu - bloggers beware!

On October 26, 2008 / By Imnakoya / In Blogosphere, Nigeria

If you are a blogger that writes on issues concerning governance in Nigeria, watch out, you could get arrested and interrogated for days, incommunicado, by the state security service (SSS) of Nigeria, as its being demonstrated in the case of Jonathan Elendu, the independent publisher of Elendu Reports. According to Nigerian law, anyone arrested must be charged in court within 48 hours. That holding period has expired for Elendu since the story broke on Wednesday, October 20.

While it is not unusual in Nigeria for security agencies to hold ’suspects’ at will, without paying attention to rule of law, it is despicable that Nigerians are seeing an increasing number of human rights violation and disregard for rule of law under President Yar’Adua’s tenure, a man that wants to be remembered as an advocate and believer of rule of law.

Elendu, from what has been reported, is been held for national security reasons. What this means is really anybody’s guess, since the ’suspect’ is based in Michigan USA, and apparently only concerned with publishing controversial articles about Nigerian politicians and bureaucrats.

Is Elendu involved in secret endeavors that could potentially undermine national security? It is possible, and this will be a revelation the SSS can best disclose. And the whole world is waiting.

Nigerians are tired and irritated by the Yar’Adua’s administration, whose agenda has remained one of the most guided secrets in national history. Now, it is appearing that a focus of that agenda is clamping down on unfavorable media outlets. Elendu’s arrest follows the closure of Channels TV, another independent media outlet based in Lagos, that was sealed off for suggesting the president might resign from office because of health concerns. Who’s next on the waiting list?

What I can’t fathom is why an administration that speaks some much about attracting foreign investments, and has a negative publicity over the Niger-Delta insurgency, would go ahead under the banner of national security and create additional negative media coverage? It does not make sense. If the government is really concerned about national security, then it is looking in the wrong place. Jonathan Elendu is a small fry, I hope.

Update on Elendu’s Arrest, via Sahara Reporters:

In a desperate attempt to justify the weeklong unlawful detention of Nigerian online blogger, Jonathan Elendu, state security services (SSS) officials last night in Abuja quietly transferred him to the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Apparently stung by public condemnation of its handling of the case and also for reasons that their lawyers said were unsustainable charges of sedition, the SSS decided to hand Elendu over to the EFCC so as to keep him detained but incommunicado until Monday

19 Responses to “On Jonathan Elendu - bloggers beware!”

So it is true according to Chidi Opara’s “Real Reason Why Nigerian Online News Publisher Was Arrested” via Nigerian Curiosity that national security has now been downgraded to 419. Again regardless of the charge, We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Jonathan Elendu, or his arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction, if he is suspected to have contravened any laws of the land. Cheers for the update.

By Beauty
October 26, 2008 at 10:08 am
Since arrest Elendu is yet to be seen or communicate with his lawyers and family, has not eaten or drink, and was is being tortured. When will this stop. Nigerians should cry out and demand for Mr. Elemdu’s release. Who is next? Yar’Adua and his team are now using “national security” to commit outrageous crimes to humanity.

By Onda
October 27, 2008 at 12:03 am
no shaking - those munchkins at abuja cannot intimidate everybody with their gestapo-like machination. they killed the attempted freedom of information bill and do not want anyone to be aware of the way they have held nigeria hostage all these years since her independence. enough should be enough and it is about time we scream about their manners to the world. so shout it from the roof-top of e-media and let they be shamed. if they do not like it, let them change their ways for a better nigeria. jonathan elendu will someday come out from their gulag, taller than he went in; but all the same let everybody be vigilant. if you must travel to nigeria, explore other backroads instead of flying into the den of tigers in abuja. even an acronym travelling documents will suffice. we must outfox them.

By meniru
October 27, 2008 at 4:56 am
First, Nigeria although screaming Democracy, even in Civilian rule is far as always from being a democratic country. That Military Abacha style way of stiffling, snuffing out and intimidating anyone who dares voice an opinion that is anti government is still very real in Nigeria. The average Nigerian police even on the street alway display this madness. So Yaradua is just not different, or maybe hasnt “woken up” to the fact of this sort of behaviour on the international scene.

Secondly, yes, Nigerians in the diaspora who voice opinions or write about bad governance in Nigeria should be cautious. Well you cannot be intimidated from visiting your motherland, but by all means, be careful and dont answer a quick yes to queries about your name. Use the wisdom of Peter who will say he is a Roman and not a Jew when it would be to his survival. This is not falsity but a game of survival and outwitting the enemy.

Third, I believe we have been writing and reading about this Elendu arrest but we havent started a proper appeal or protest of created a bloggers letter to Yaradua, signed by thousands in protest, and we havent even reported the matter to the human rights group so that Yaradua is approached on our behalf if we cannot do this ourselves. So my question is how and when do we do this? Imnakoya, any ideas?

By omotaylor
October 27, 2008 at 3:11 pm
This is a very beautiful website, I have enjoyed my visit here very much. I’m very honoured to sign in your guestbook. Thanking you for the great work that you are doing here.

By Security
October 27, 2008 at 3:17 pm
@ Omotaylor:

I think more information is needed before people start signing petition. Who knows the Jonathan Elendu beyond what he writes on his website? Yes, it is illegal to have kept him in detention more than 48hrs, but who knows how credible he is.

We need more information on who the subject is, at least for me to make a more informed decision. There are hundred faceless people in Nigeria on lock-down whose human rights are being violated daily, I won’t trip over one person whose background and activities is not well known beyond being a blogger.

By Imnakoya
October 27, 2008 at 4:20 pm
@imnakoya, true say, i.e. about getting more information on this blogger. My disquiet is that nothing untowards or otherwise has been said or printed about Elendu’s detention other than his blogging activities. So for this I was hoping we could sign a petition, and in response to our petition we would know if there is more to Elendu than meets the eye. Also a bloggers victory (albeit done on behalf of Elendu)will be a good score for all other hundred faceless people whose human rights are being violated. Surely this is something that we would want to change in Nigeria. God forbid, I will want to believe that if I am detained because of my sharing political and other views on the net, that there are people out there who would not want me to languish for too long.

Lastly the reportage above does show concern for Elendu being detained as a blogger and hence my suggestion that we do something rather than just sit and comment and wonder who will bell the cat. Well maybe there are other groups out there who know Elendu well enough to rally support for him. I will want to add my signature if this is the case, so keep me posted if you hear anything. Peace

By omotaylor
October 28, 2008 at 8:20 am
Here is one petition, I’m sure there are others

http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue/browse_thread/thread/64392f1f38b08ffc

By Shola
October 28, 2008 at 10:36 am
Thanks Shola, will check this out pronto.

By omotaylor
October 28, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Good to know that there are many groups out there fighting for Elendu’s release. Here is another via this link:

http://odili.net/news/source/2008/oct/28/401.html

By omotaylor
October 28, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I am concerned about some messages here (comments 4&6) Use the wisdom of Peter who will say he is a Roman and not a Jew when it would be to his survival. This is not falsity but a game of survival and outwitting the enemy. A network wherever you go is one, every time you log on or use your mobile/cell phone, there is a log someplace and that information is easy to acquire but should anyone care if the government or anyone gets it? While we are trying to shake the 419 brand it is not OK to hide just because someone is unhappy with one’s thoughts.

Who knows the Jonathan Elendu beyond what he writes on his website? Yes, it is illegal to have kept him in detention more than 48hrs, but who knows how credible he is. Should his credibility matter? I think the rights of the individual far out weighs his credibility. The story of Troy Anthony Davis as a case in point. Most bloggers benefited from some of JE reports, his Alexa ranking confirmes this.

The media at home is not merely unwilling to liberate itself from oppression and misery but unwilling to acknowledge they endure it, hence new media. The Internet is a new frontier in the struggle for human rights and it is not only in Nigeria that people feel threatened by it. Worldwide, people are using new media as an enabler but censorship is its Catch 22. We must at least attempt to save Nigeria from itself. Who will want to contribute to a system that does not understand the progression of Duty?

English is a colorful language but merely speaking it is not enough to lead, just look at the output from our VIPs and media. Education in the whys of existence, knowledge, truth, beauty, justice, validity, mind, and language is a must in order to move forward. “Thank God I have done my duty” - Horatio Nelson.

By Beauty
October 29, 2008 at 6:58 am
We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Jonathan Elendu, or his arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction, if he is suspected to have contravened any laws of the land.

FREE JONATHAN ELENDU NOW! COME TOGETHER ON OCT. 31ST
Join us in demanding the release of Nigerian blogger, Jonathan Elendu, who has been detained by the Nigerian government.

Elendu has been detained for over 9 days with no contact in Nigeria simply for blogging about Nigerian political corruption and government human rights abuses.

On Friday, many of us will dedicate our post to Elendu’s situation and will title it “FREE ELENDU NOW”. Please support this cause. You don’t even need to write anything, just a post on that day with the above referenced title will suffice.

Spread the word on your MySpace and FaceBook pages! Let’s come together to make sure that no other blogger is ever held against their will.

http://www.nigeriancuriosity.com/

By Beauty
October 29, 2008 at 7:02 am
@Beauty, thanks for your observation which of course is correct, as it concerns both the comments you mentioned. My line of thought when I wrote comment 4 was in terms of me identifying myself to people (in person) whilst in Nigeria, be it at the airport or on the street. Nigeria can be dangerous and a life taken is dead and wasted. He who flees lives to fight another day (or something like that).. Thanks for the link on Free Elendu. I will visit it soon Peace

By omotaylor
October 29, 2008 at 1:18 pm
The latest news is that JONATHAN ELENDU is Free. ‘Freedom must be exercised to stay in shape!’

By Beauty
October 29, 2008 at 3:37 pm
This indeed is good news (and I do hope and pray it is true). Now we may get to hear JE’s story. I just hope this experience will not deter but strengthen his blogging resolve. Thanks for being the harbinger of good news Beauty.

By omotaylor
October 29, 2008 at 3:53 pm
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!

By solomonsydelle
October 30, 2008 at 12:38 pm
EFCC? Nonsense.
The way almost everyone to be hounded by the government is referred to the EFCC makes the organization look meaningless to me.

By Oluniyi David Ajao
November 25, 2008 at 1:06 am
PLEASE SOMEONE TELL ME THAT THIS NEWSFLASH AM HEARING THAT EMEKA ASIWE (HUHU) IS DEAD, DIED IN CUSTODY YESTERDAY EVENING IS NOT TRUE. IT HAD BETTER NOT BE TRUE. I AWAIT CONFIRMATION.

By omotaylor
November 25, 2008 at 11:14 am
Great to hear. Good luck with your thesis, and please keep me informed of your progress.

commissionblueprintreport.com/

By Commission report
December 7, 2008 at 7:26 am

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