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U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist - Politics - Nairaland

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U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by KEVIND: 9:56am On Jan 20, 2020
Ohimai Amaize, a former AIT presenter who fled Nigeria last year, has been granted asylum in the United States, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.

The journalist confirmed the development to PREMIUM TIMES in an e-mail Sunday. “I have just received notice of my asylum approval,” he said.

Mr Amaize, 35, departed Abuja in June 2019 following claims he was being trailed by Nigerian security agents with intention to arrest and charge him for treason and incitement. The alleged plots stemmed from a confrontation between the government and AIT and its flagship morning show, ‘Kakaaki Social’, a user-generated programme which Mr Amaize was anchoring at the time.

The Nigerian broadcast stations regulator, NBC, shut down the station for about 24 hours, alleging multiple infractions on federal guidelines for broadcasters. Although the station was reopened following a court order, its headquarters in Abuja was besieged by armed officers from the State Security Service, SSS.

Mr Amaize criticised the guidelines as arbitrary and repressive and subsequently fled to New York on June 11, citing threats to his safety by the SSS, police and other state agents and supporters. His wife, an Abuja-based fashion designer, also left Nigeria a few weeks later to join him.

American government grants asylum to individuals who have been able to substantiate claims of persecution in their home country, especially where such attacks are linked to their political opinion, religious beliefs and other fundamental rights.

“My forced exit from Nigeria last year has been a very traumatising experience for me and my family,” Mr Amaize told PREMIUM TIMES. “I am very happy and I thank God for this development.”

Before joining AIT in 2018, Mr Amaize was amongst top opposition voices highly critical of the Buhari administration. Between 2011 and 2015, he served as a media aide in the government of the Peoples Democratic Party, Nigeria’s erstwhile ruling party which Muhammadu Buhari’s All Progressives Congress defeated during the 2015 elections. He formally joined the PDP as a card-carrying member in 2015.

Although Mr Amaize was never arrested, he alleged regular threats to his life. He also frequently cited several other critics and journalists who were arrested and charged under repressive laws.

“I can now live and carry on with my life without the fear of being persecuted by the Muhammadu Buhari regime for the opinions that I express or the work that I do as a journalist,” Mr Amaize said. “Of course, I miss Nigeria so much because there is no place like home.”

Media rights advocates quickly saw Mr Amaize’s asylum breakthrough as a positive development for press freedom.

“This is a victory for press freedom, one that rekindles the hope of all defenders of civil liberties across the world,” Martin Obono, an Abuja-based rights activist, told PREMIUM TIMES. “We congratulate Mr Amaize and his family.”

Mr Obono said the expeditious manner Mr Amaize received asylum from the U.S. should put the Nigerian government on the notice that America and other nations of the free world would not tolerate any acts that stifle freedom.

The Buhari administration has continued to deny allegations of repression, saying the country’s civic space has flourished since 2015. The government said only those guilty of subversive plots were arrested, a claim that failed to hold up against mounting evidence of attacks against citizens’ fundamental rights.

“Asylum is usually a long and cumbersome process that could take years for an average seeker,” Mr Obono said. “That Mr Ohimai was able to receive it within a short period should evoke introspection of a government that is capable of reading signs from the international community.”

While wishing Nigeria a prosperous future, Mr Amaize appreciated those who supported him, especially AIT, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Human Rights First and his American attorneys Davis Polk and Wardwell LLP.

“I hope that in the not too distant future, Nigeria will return to a true democracy where a free press, freedom of expression and the rule of law are respected”, he said.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/373352-u-s-grants-asylum-to-nigerian-journalist-ohimai-amaize.html

21 Likes 2 Shares

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by ForeThinker: 2:03pm On Jan 20, 2020
It's well ... A BIG CONGRATS to you Brethren.


We…need to forgive ourselves…For all the things we didn’t do. All the things we should have done. You can’t get stuck on the regrets of what should have happened.

95 Likes 4 Shares

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by nonxo007(m): 2:03pm On Jan 20, 2020
Rather sad I must say, this guys program was one of the reasons I watched Kakaaki. Its truly sad that this government can't take criticism. The feel threatened any time some one criticises them, not knowing that criticisms are only meant to make you improve. This guy would have been one of the big names on TV if he hadn't been pursued by the government.
Take for instance, you go out and the first person you meet on the road tells you that the trouser you are wearing isn't good but you ignore and keep going, you meet another person and he tells you the same things, you meet 5 more people and they all tell you the same thing. What are you now supposed to do ? Isn't it to actually take a proper look at the trouser and make amends or simply have one of the people you met to tell you what's wrong with it so you can make amends ?

To me I believe that our biggest problem in this country is religion, if we can all agree to ban religion for one year and make a reviewed constitution our new religion, just for a year you'll see how we'll almost be competing with the world power.

75 Likes 1 Share

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by oshe11: 2:03pm On Jan 20, 2020
"If Wishes were Flowers" Most Nigerians would...........

28 Likes

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by NnamdiKanu(m): 2:03pm On Jan 20, 2020
Congrats bro..

13 Likes

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by Azmanaty: 2:03pm On Jan 20, 2020
I am happy for him.

Atleast he is now beyond the grip of the world renowned oppressor; General MB.

140 Likes 7 Shares

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by Iyajelili(f): 2:03pm On Jan 20, 2020
Bobo ti japa

19 Likes 3 Shares

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by Slawormir: 2:03pm On Jan 20, 2020
Damnnnnn niggarrr

Nice arrangement

Arrangee

7 Likes

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by abjisperson(m): 2:04pm On Jan 20, 2020
The fulani infested DSS can now go to hell

44 Likes 2 Shares

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by Primeken: 2:04pm On Jan 20, 2020
[quote][/quote]
Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by shadrach77: 2:04pm On Jan 20, 2020
God don pick his call cheesy grin

10 Likes 1 Share

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by Upton: 2:04pm On Jan 20, 2020
All the best to him.

1 Like

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by HazzanTazzan(m): 2:05pm On Jan 20, 2020
he finally escaped Buhari's wrath

5 Likes 1 Share

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by Dandsome: 2:05pm On Jan 20, 2020
This guy slip don enter. Nothing cut

98 Likes 2 Shares

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by TRUSTEDGUY: 2:05pm On Jan 20, 2020
D guy own don better

APC image will be hunted by this ooo

13 Likes

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by inspector1(m): 2:05pm On Jan 20, 2020
This one has escaped from the bubu zoo finally.

20 Likes 1 Share

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by abuhusna1: 2:05pm On Jan 20, 2020
Well scripted. He staged everything by being a critic and run to Western for greener pasture using his scripted evidences

47 Likes 2 Shares

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by Kevinsamba: 2:05pm On Jan 20, 2020
E be like say I go become journalist o
E get why smiley

3 Likes

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by Nobody: 2:05pm On Jan 20, 2020
My guy don japa!

49 Likes 1 Share

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by Nobody: 2:05pm On Jan 20, 2020
This guy no go come back even if Buhari hands over in 2023

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by DennisEche(m): 2:05pm On Jan 20, 2020
CONGRATS YOU LEFT THE ZOO

9 Likes 1 Share

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by yorke1: 2:05pm On Jan 20, 2020
What alot of people long for under this regime.
Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by ScienceTv: 2:05pm On Jan 20, 2020
Japa Japa, O salo United States
Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by Patrioticman007(m): 2:05pm On Jan 20, 2020
Lies Nigerians say just to secure asylum is unimaginable, One said the Emir of Aba is persecuting for being a Christian, the other one said the Sultan of Sokoto, has sperated him from his Gay partner. This one that was never arrested has japa from Naija in the name of persecution from Security agencies, it seems every Nigerian is suffering from one injustice or the other from Federal Government, even the first family is not spared, if not, ask Aisha GMB.
I bet, they will deport him, after GMB leaves office.

9 Likes 1 Share

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by soberdrunk(m): 2:06pm On Jan 20, 2020
angry Sharp guy
Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by olax02(m): 2:06pm On Jan 20, 2020
God pls pick my call this year..... cool

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by VirginSearcher(m): 2:07pm On Jan 20, 2020
A clear sign that journalists are being oppressed and imprisoned in their own country, Buhari is finished.. this is a bad record

17 Likes

Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by Osnuf34(m): 2:07pm On Jan 20, 2020
Hmmmm me, I COMMENT MY RESERVE
Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by Mouthgag: 2:07pm On Jan 20, 2020
Sabi boi grin
Re: U.S. Grants Asylum To Ohimai Amaize, Nigerian Journalist by Dollywood(m): 2:07pm On Jan 20, 2020
Omo, I tap from his blessing, Baba answer my call o

3 Likes 2 Shares

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