Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA), was detained and questioned for two hours at Lagos airport yesterday morning, while returning to Nigeria from the UK.

The police accused him of activities destructive of the Nigerian state, as he was carrying a widely-available, 1968 Memorandum from the American Jewish Congress providing information on the then-continuing Biafran civil war. A cover page had apparently been placed on the Memorandum by the Biafran Liberation Organization (Patriotic Front).

He was also questioned about the legal case begun last month by Niger Delta communities against the Nigerian government and oil companies, supported by ERA and the Climate Justice Programme.

Peter Roderick, co-Director of the Climate Justice Programme said:

"It is disturbing, ridiculous and sad that Nnimmo Bassey has been detained in this way, and this historical paper confiscated. Nigeria is ostensibly a democracy throwing off its oppressive past, and this kind of abusive behaviour should have no part to play in a democracy respecting human rights. Nnimmo Bassey is a beacon of light and a Nigerian citizen his country should be embracing with pride and respect, not abusing."

Nnimmo had been on a short visit to the UK, where he spoke about gas flaring at the GW8 and other gatherings in Edinburgh.