Nigeria: US woman charged with espionage claims plot against her
ABUJA (AFP) — An American woman charged with espionage in Nigeria claimed she was a victim of a plot by government officials after a court hearing Tuesday.
Judith Asuni, 60, appeared before the Nigerian High Federal Court requesting to be freed on bail.
She told AFP: "It's obvious I've stepped on someone's toes, someone important.
"I have information about government officials siphoning off oil pipelines and now they feel threatened and this is why there is this ridiculous case against me."
Judge Binta Murtala-Nyako adjourned the appeal for bail until October 23 after hearing both the defence and prosecution cases.
Asuni -- who is married to a Nigerian and has lived in the country for 30 years -- runs a non-governmental organisation called Academic Associates Peace Work in the oil-rich Niger delta.
She told AFP: "I'm a bit tired of being in this situation, it's been three weeks minus one day."
Her daughter Judith said: "She knows a lot of dirty information that goes on in the delta as a civil rights activist. This case is a way to silence her. No evidence against her has been produced in court because there is no evidence."
Asuni was charged at the end of September along with two Germans and a Nigerian colleague for conspiring "to commit a felony" whilst the Germans shot a documentary about the problems of the oil-rich region. The pair were also charged with having helped falsify the Germans' travel visas.
All pleaded not guilty and the Germans have been freed on bail.
Asuni and her Nigerian colleague were also charged with espionage by the Nigerian security services.
When Asuni was first refused bail and jailed on October 8 the US embassy warned the Nigerian authorities it was "deeply concerned" at her detention.
"Dr. (Judith) Asuni is an aid worker and longtime resident of Nigeria who is recognized for her efforts to promote understanding, conflict management, transparency and sustainable development in the Niger Delta," the statement said.
"We have made clear to the government of Nigeria our continuing interest in her circumstances, our concern over her treatment and our expectation that she be treated in accordance with Nigerian law," it continued.
