Matters arising out of Dikko kidnap
They are Mohammed Yusufu, 40, diplomat, from Lagos, Alexander Barak, 27, businessman, of Netanyia, Israel, Lev-Arie Shapiro, 43, doctor, of Petach-Takva, Israel, and Felix Messoud Abutul, 31, shopkeeper, of Netyani, Israel.
All are charged with stealing and unlawfully taking away against his will Alhaji Umaru Dikko from Porchester Terrace, London W2, on July 4, and with unlawfully administering to Mr Dikko four stupefying drugs with intent to enable themselves and others to commit an indictable offence of kidnapping.
Mohammed Yusufu is described as a diplomat but is not on the diplomatic list of the Nigerian High Commission in London, and therefore does not enjoy diplomatic status in London.
Denial of involvement
Israeli billionaire Nissim Gaon, has denied that he was involved in the attempt to abduct exiled former Nigerian minister Umaru Dikko from London to Lagos.Interviewed by Israeli Radio in Geneva, Mr Gaon said that reports of his involvement were "completely defamatory" adding that he was suing an Italian publication which alleged that he was behind Dikko's kidnapping.
Mr Gaon is the Chairman of major companies involved in both trading and construction in Nigeria.
Recall of High Commissioners
The British High Commissioner in Nigeria, Sir Hamilton Whyte, has returned to London following his recall by his home Government. This was in reaction to Nigeria's request that the envoy be recalled in line with the decision of the Federal Government to recall its High Commissioner Maj-Gen. Hananiya, from London. The British Foreign Secretary, Sir Geoffrey Howe, said although he saw no justification in the Nigerian request, Sir Hamilton Whyte had been asked to proceed to London to avoid further deterioration in Anglo-Nigerian relations.The Nigerian Government requested the recal! after Sir Geoffrey said in parliament that the return of Maj-Gen. Hananiya to London after consultation with the Federal Government would be inappropriate.
Diplomats expelled
Earlier, two British diplomats had been expelled from Nigeria. The two diplomats, Mr John Harrison, head of chancery and Mr Stewart Evans, an administrative attache, were given seven days within which to leave the country. It was the Federal Government's reaction to the expulsion from Britain of two Nigerian diplomats, one of whom, Mr Okan Edet, was arrested at Stansted at the time of the discovery of Alhaji Dikko in a crate.The British Foreign Secretary, Sir Geoffrey Howe, told the British parlia- ment that the Nigerian diplomats were expelled following the refusal of the Federal Government to allow the British police to interview Nigerian officials on the Umaru Dikko issue.
Boycott British goods
Lagos radio has told home service listeners that Nigerians should show their support for their Government by shunning imported goods, particularly those from Britain. They should spend their holidays within Nigeria and should stop regarding Britain as a second home.Newspapers accuse British Government
The Punch and Daily Star have condem- ned the British Government for contemptuous disregard and violation of Nigeria's diplomatic immunity and privileges over an attempt to bring back fugitive Umaru Dikko. The Punch ex- plained that to accuse the Nigerian Government of masterminding the kidnap without adequate investigation by Britain is another way of displaying British hostility.The Star added that the negative role of the British Government over the incident has shown conclusively that Britain is an enemy of Nigeria. The paper urged the Federal Government to make deliberate efforts to stop the trial of those involved in the kidnap attempt. The New Nigerian called on the Federal Military Government to break all diplomatic relations with Britain if she continues her negative role in Umaru Dikko's affair. The paper says an accusation by the British Government that linked Nigeria with the kidnap attempt without sufficient investigations is completely absurd.
