This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6330833.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Nigerian treason trial to start Rows over Nigeria treason trial
(about 3 hours later)
The treason trial of Nigerian oil militant Mujahid Dokubo-Asari is due to start shortly at the Federal high Court in the capital, Abuja. The start of the treason trial of Nigerian oil militant Mujahid Dokubo-Asari has again been delayed after angry rows in court.
He was arrested in 2005 after calling for the oil-producing Niger Delta to secede from the rest of Nigeria. Mr Asari was shouting and swearing, saying his life was in danger while in custody, prompting the prosecution to ask him to be barred from the trial.
A BBC correspondent says the government is under pressure to release Mr Asari - a key demand of those who have staged a wave of attacks on oil facilities. His three wives were all crying, while hundreds of his supporters gathered at the High Court in the capital, Abuja.
He was arrested in 2005 after calling for the oil-rich Niger Delta to secede.
A BBC correspondent says the government is under pressure to release Mr Asari - a key demand of those who have staged a wave of attacks on oil facilities in the region.
Last year, Nigeria lost some $4bn because of unrest in the Niger Delta.Last year, Nigeria lost some $4bn because of unrest in the Niger Delta.
The BBC's Senan Murray says there is tight security outside court, with a truckload of riot police on standby in case of any trouble. 'Vitriol'
But he says there are no demonstrators. The BBC's Senan Murray says there was tight security outside court, with a truckload of riot police on standby in case of any trouble.
Mr Asari's lawyers say they are ready for the trial to start. Mr Asari said that his weight has gone down from 139kg to 93kg while in custody, and further said he was being held in an underground cell, without access to his lawyers and family.
His first wife warned that if anything should happen to him, they would stop any oil being produced across the Niger Delta within a day.
The prosecution, meanwhile accuse him of unruly behaviour.
"At the last two sittings of the court the accused rained chains of vitriolic... utterances on the honourable judge and the prosecution," they said in a written motion arguing for him to be barred.
"The accused person went to the extent of threatening to snatch... the rifle and pistol of the police and prison guards to use them on the honourable judge and the director of public prosecution," the document read.
Oil wealthOil wealth
Last week, Nigeria army chief of staff Major General Andrew Azazi, who is from the Delta, met some oil militants, who repeated their demand for Mr Asari's release if the violence is to stop.Last week, Nigeria army chief of staff Major General Andrew Azazi, who is from the Delta, met some oil militants, who repeated their demand for Mr Asari's release if the violence is to stop.
They also want former Bayelsa State governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha to be freed - he is accused of corruption and money laundering.They also want former Bayelsa State governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha to be freed - he is accused of corruption and money laundering.
The militants often attack oil installations and kidnap oil workers for ransom.The militants often attack oil installations and kidnap oil workers for ransom.
Last year, such attacks cut Nigeria's oil output by some 20%.Last year, such attacks cut Nigeria's oil output by some 20%.
Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer but most of the Niger Delta population remain poor.Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer but most of the Niger Delta population remain poor.
The militants say more of Nigeria's oil wealth should benefit local people.The militants say more of Nigeria's oil wealth should benefit local people.