Nigerian oil rebels demand proof leader is alive

Estelle Shirbon
A rebel group from Nigeria's oil producing Niger Delta demanded on Wednesday that lawyers, relatives and the Red Cross be allowed to see their detained leader, Henry Okah, to confirm he is alive. The government denied a report by the rebel Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta that Okah had been shot dead.

Is Nigeria's new Dubai a white elephant?

Estelle Shirbon
In the minds of its creators, the Tinapa resort in south-eastern Nigeria will rival Dubai or London as a shopping and trading paradise for rich and enterprising Nigerians. In reality, about $340-million has been spent since 2005, but 80 000 square metres of pristine retail space lie empty.

Nigeria wonders if leader will keep his job

Estelle Shirbon
Umaru Yar'Adua looks serene in the official portrait hanging in a courtroom where lawyers in black robes are trying to unseat him as president of Nigeria. But his position may be less secure than the photograph. The presidential tribunal is a special electoral court empowered to hear petitions against his victory in April by losing candidates.

Report: Guns the real instrument of power in Nigeria

Estelle Shirbon
Guns, machetes and looted public funds are the real instruments of power in Nigeria, where politicians backed by unelected "godfathers" use hired thugs to win office, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday. Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999 after three decades of almost continuous army dictatorship, but civilian governments have routinely abused basic human rights.

Quietly, Nigerian president asserts his independence

Estelle Shirbon
Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua came to power under the shadow of disputed elections and an overbearing predecessor, but his first two months in office have shown evidence that he is quietly asserting his authority. The soft-spoken former state governor was plucked from obscurity by former president Olusegun Obasanjo to run for the top job.

Nigerian rebels: Armed struggle will continue

Estelle Shirbon
The main rebel group in Nigeria's oil-producing Niger Delta said on Monday the abduction of a three-year-old British girl was unrelated to political violence and the armed struggle over oil revenues would continue. Margaret Hill was released on Sunday night after four days in the hands of unknown ransom seekers.
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