NIGERIA: Militia leader charged with treason, risks life imprisonment

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

ABUJA, 6 Oct 2005 (IRIN) - An influential separatist militia leader from Nigeria’s volatile oil-rich Delta region faces life in jail after being charged with treason on Thursday following comments made in a newspaper interview.

As Moujahid Dokubo-Asari heard the charges, hundreds of his supporters massed outside the court in the capital Abuja, demanding the release of the leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF).

Dokubo-Asari, who was arrested more than two weeks ago for the comments calling for the break-up of Nigeria, appeared in court to hear charges including conspiracy, unlawful assembly and “treasonable felony” read to him before presiding judge Babs Akinwumi.

He pleaded not guilty but will remain in custody until 10 November, the date set by the court for continuation of the trial.

Under Nigerian law treasonable felony is punished by life imprisonment as it is considered a lesser charge to outright treason, a capital offence.

In court, Dokubo-Asari said “We shall be free. My people must be free,” as he unveiled a black t-shirt carrying the name of Isaac Boro, a Delta militant who mounted a short-lived armed campaign in 1966 for an independent Niger Delta Republic.

Outside, police dispersed hundreds of supporters waving placards and banners calling for his release and arrested several. A police officer said they would be charged for public order offences.

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