American Bar Association Observes Elombah Brothers Versus IGP Case

The American Bar Association [ABA], Center for Human Rights, through its Justice Defenders Program is observing the case of the Elombah brothers, London-based lawyer, Daniel and Nigeria-based journalist, Tim, as well as the cyber-crime and terrorism charge leveled against them by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotum Idris.

The ABA Justice Defenders Program is an emergency response program that provides pro bono technical legal assistance to human rights advocates who are facing retaliation for their legitimate human rights work.

See attached a copy of the letter addressed to the Federal High Court indicating intents to observe the case:

During the arraignment of the brothers at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on March 1, 2018, ABA sent a representative, one Barrister Eze Eluchie, to independently monitor proceedings.

Shortly after the March 1 proceedings, ABA JusticeDefenders tweeted on their Twitter handle @JusticeDefend:

“ABA trial observer reports from #Nigeria arraignment of Journalists @Elombah & @ElsTimmy: Both pleaded not guilty to all charges incl. cyber-crime and terrorism. They’ve been granted bail, case is adjourned to 3 May. ABA will cont. monitoring their trial @angelaquintal @CPJAfrica.”

Tweeting further, it said:

“The ABA Center for Human Rights has sent an observer to #Nigeria to monitor the trial of @ElsTimmy and @Elombah to ensure that their legal harassment does not result in continued judicial harassment. We will seek to ensure they are given a fair trial, free of violations.”

Thereto, the Committee to Project Journalists [CPJ] Africa also retweeted on its handle @CPJAfrica, statement by CPJ Program Coordinator Angela Quintal, @AngelaQuintal, from New York:

“#Nigeria: “Timothy and Daniel Elombah are journalists and not terrorists who should be free to continue their #journalism without legal harassment or fear of going to jail. Authorities should drop all legal proceedings against them.”

See attached a copy of the letter addressed to the Federal High Court indicating intents to observe the case: