In December, the Nigerian state was beginning to act...

In December, the Nigerian state was beginning to act against officials of previous regimes, responsible for crimes over a 13-year period. Among those arrested and on trial are senior military officers connected to the regimes of Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha. Even Babangida himself may face charges over the death of journalist Dele Giwa. Minor figures of the regimes are apparently willing to provide evidence against their former masters. Officials are being charged with the murders of political activists, charges that may see a death sentence imposed. A Nigerian commission has announced that it has collected 10,000 depositions relating to persons who were either tortured, assassinated, imprisoned unlawfully or were murdered by the previous regimes.