IHEU has appealed to authorities in Nigeria to stop the police harrasment of Leo Igwe, IHEU Representative for West Africa. Igwe and members of his family have been subjected to a sustained campaign of harassment by local police involving multiple arrests on unsubstantiated charges since 2007. Most recently, Leo Igwe and his father, Oliver Igwe, were arrested on Tuesday, January 5.

Following complaints to Nigerian authorities by Humanists around the world, Oliver and Leo Igwe were released on bail. Then on January 8, Leo’s brother Uche Igwe was taken into custody by the State Security Service. He has now also been released.

The campaign of harassment against the Igwe family is a consequence of their work to bring to justice a powerful man in the area who allegedly raped a ten year old girl.

Leo Igwe’s father, who is a 77 year old diabetic in failing health, has been arrested six times on false charges since 2007. Two of Leo’s brothers have been detained three times each in connection with the same case.

http://www.iheu.org/nigeria-must-end-harassment-iheu-representative-leo-igwe

See previous stories:

• Leo Igwe arrested in Nigeria
• The tireless, courageous Humanism of Leo Igwe