Nigerian oil rebel's release boosts peace moves

ABUJA, June 14 (Reuters) A Nigerian court freed on bail former militia leader Mujahid Dokubo-Asari today, meeting a demand by armed groups who have disrupted oil production and kidnapped expatriate workers in the Niger Delta.

Militants said the release of Asari, who is on trial for treason, would boost a nascent peace process between them and the government of newly inaugurated President Umaru Yar'Adua.

''In releasing Asari, the government has demonstrated its willingness to dialogue. This to us, is encouraging,'' said the spokesman for the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).

The MEND was responsible for most of the attacks that have crippled Nigeria's oil industry over the past 18 months. Output from Nigeria, the world's eighth biggest exporter of crude, is currently down by over 650,000 barrels per day, or a quarter.

''This to us is justice overdue,'' said the MEND spokesman, who uses the pseudonym Jomo Gbomo, shortly after the ruling.

''The focal point of agitation in the delta, resource control, must be thoroughly and justly addressed to end the unrest,'' he added.

He was referring to the MEND's demand for local control over oil revenues that many in the impoverished delta feel have been stolen or squandered over the past five decades.

Asari's release comes after different rebel factions in the delta freed 19 hostages since the inauguration of Yar'Adua on May 29. Some have also declared a temporary truce.

POLITICAL DEAL But the peace moves remain tentative and the situation in the delta volatile. Twenty foreigners are still being held hostage and on Tuesday troops killed eight suspected militants in what the army said was an attempted attack on an oilfield.

MEND said the soldiers murdered eight unarmed civilians.

Asari's lawyer applied for bail on health grounds and prosecutors did not oppose the application.

''I'm convinced the accused is not playing to the gallery,'' said Justice Peter Olayiwola, adding that Asari should not hold any political rally or engage in any political activities and his movements should be reported to the security services.

The Supreme Court had denied Asari bail last Friday after a 20-month legal process, arguing he represented a threat to national security. Prosecutors had steadfastly opposed his release until now.

Delta activists close to nascent peace negotiations said Thursday's court decision was the result of a political deal.

Asari has been in detention since September 2005 and his trial has dragged on from one adjournment to the next. There were several unsuccessful attempts by elders from his Ijaw ethnic group to broker a deal to get him out.

The climate changed after the swearing-in of Yar'Adua, who used his inaugural speech to call for a ceasefire in the delta.

Since then, powerful state governors from the region have publicly called for Asari's release.

Ijaw activists said today's ruling would boost efforts to pacify armed rebels demanding resource control and compensation for oil spills.

''Asari can be used to reach out to the freedom fighters and redirect them away from carrying guns and towards peace,'' said Ifeanyi Jonjon, head of the Ijaw Youth Council.

Asari, who has lost a lot of weight in detention and has complained of ill treatment by the State Security Services, was not present in court but his supporters were jubilant.

REUTERS SV RAI1910