Human rights defender Mr Edwin Nebolisa Nwakaeme, in detention since his arrest on 1 March, was denied bail today 10 March. Edwin Nebolisa Nwakaeme is the founder and program director of Africa in Democracy and Good Governance (ADG), an organisation which works to promote human rights, democracy and good governance in Africa.

Further Information

Edwin Nebolisa Nwakaeme, a Nigerian national based in the Gambia, was arrested on 1 March, for the third time in ten days. He was summoned by the Serious Crimes Unit at the Police Headquarters in Banjul, and arrested.

The offices of ADG were also reportedly closed down by the police on the same day. Edwin Nebolisa Nwakaeme was previously arrested on 22 February by three plain-clothed officials from Serrekunda Police Station. He was detained for three days at the New Jeshwang Immigration Post and released without charge on 25 February.

The following day, 26 February, he was taken into custody again by officials from the Serrekunda Police Station and released without charge later that evening. He has remained in detention since the third arrest on 1 March.

On 8 March, Edwin Nebolisa Nwakaeme appeared before Banjul magistrates court and was charged with “giving false information to public officials”. He is being accused of falsely declaring that ADG has the status of non-governmental organisation.

The statement was included in a letter that ADG addressed to the Office of the President to request that the President's daughter accepts her nomination as ADG ambassador. Upon his refusal to make a plea at the hearing without legal representation, the magistrate remanded him in custody until 10 March. Edwin Nebolisa Nwakaeme's colleagues were not notified about the court hearing and he was not given access to a lawyer.

At the hearing today, 10 March, Senior Magistrate Hilary Ubeke denied bail, despite the fact the prosecutor did not object to the bail application, and remanded him in custody. The next hearing has been scheduled for 22 March.

Front Line believes that the arrest and trial of Edwin Nebolisa Nwakaeme is directly related to his human rights activities. Front Line fears for the physical and psychological integrity of Edwin Nebolisa Nwakaeme.