Nigeria: Olusegun (Olesegun, Segun) Mayegun, associated with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Campaign for Democracy (CD) and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) (1992-1998)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 25 November 1999 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | NGA33252.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nigeria: Olusegun (Olesegun, Segun) Mayegun, associated with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Campaign for Democracy (CD) and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) (1992-1998), 25 November 1999, NGA33252.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad6c90.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In May 1992 Olusegun Mayegun, then head of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), was arrested along with four others: Femi Falana, head of the Association of Democratic Lawyers, Gani Fawehinmi, Baba Omojola and Beko Ransome-Kuti, president of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and chair of Campaign for Democracy (CD) (AFP 16 June 1992). The authorities stated that the five had been arrested because of their connection to unrest that had taken place the previous month in Lagos, and they had been charged with "exciting the public to riot and by so doing to compel the government to abandon the transition programme." Mayegun was quoted as saying that NANS did not condone violence, but that it was an inevitable consequence of injustice (ibid. 9 June 1992), and that "What you have seen is only a rehearsal, the real drama is yet to come" (ibid. 16 June 1992).
On 4 October 1994, Mayegun, then an official of CD, was arrested and questioned about the activities of CD (AFP 5 Oct. 1994). He was released the next day (ibid.).
On 25 April 1995 a National Constitutional Conference that had been convened in Nigeria changed its previously-stated position that Head of State General Sani Abacha should step down by 1 January 1996, saying instead that the government should act according to its own timetable (DPA 25 Apr. 1995). Mayegun, speaking as a representative of CD, responded to this by saying that it was to be expected because the Constitutional Conference was manipulated by the government and included delegates who had been appointed by the government (ibid.).
On 12 June 1997, the fourth anniversary of the annulment of the last presidential elections in Nigeria, Mayegun, speaking as the Assistant General Secretary of CD, issued a statement calling on Nigerians to continue the struggle against the Nigerian government and for the creation of a "transitional government of national unity to be headed by Chief Moshood Abiola" (Post Express Wired 12 June 1997).
On 25 June 1998 it was reported in the Nigerian media that Mayegun had been abducted by "military agents" in May 1998, according to Radio Kudirat (IRIN-WA 19 June 1998). Head of State General Abdulsalam (Abdulsalami) Abubakar subsequently ordered the release and withdrawal of charges against several detainees, Mayegun among them (NTA TV 25 June 1998). Following his release, Mayegun announced his intention to sue the government for "unlawful arrest and detention" it was reported on Radio Kudirat (IRIN-WA 19 June 1998).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Agence France Presse (AFP). 5 October 1994. "Mayegun Released; Cool Response to Price Cuts." (FBIS-AFR-94-194 5 Oct. 1994/WNC)
_____. 16 June 1992. "Lawyers Suspend Anti-Government Protest Strike." (NEXIS)
_____. 9 June 1992. "Rights Activists, Lawyers Could Be Indefinitely Held: Official." (NEXIS)
Deutsche Presse Agentur (DPA). 25 April 1995. BC Cycle. "Nigeria's Conferees Back Down on Military Rule Deadline." (NEXIS)
NTA TV [Lagos, in English]. 25 June 1998. "Head of State Orders Release of 17 Political Detainees." (BBC Summary 27 June 1998/NEXIS)
[Lagos]. 12 June 1997. Okey Ifionu, Igbonekwu Ogazimorah et al. "June 12 Anniversary IBB's Home Under Heavy Security." < http://www.postexpresswired.com/ > [Accessed 24 Nov. 1999]
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Integrated Regional Network for West Africa (IRIN-WA). 19 June 1998. "Update 233 of Events in West Africa." < http://cygnus.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Newsletters/irinw233.html > [Accessed 17 Nov. 1999]