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GV Conference Building
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2.
SV General Gowon arrives and is greeted by Dr. Graham-Douglas
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3.
SV INT. Delegates seated (2 shots)
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4.
CU Gowon speaking
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5.
SV Delegates look on
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6.
SV Gowon speaking
1.42


TRANSCRIPT: SEQ. 4 & 6: GOWON: "Judge us only by our acts and deeds. But one statement I can make in all sincerity, and briefly, is that ours is a military government that respects and upholds our constitution. And is dedicated to the welfare of all the people of this country, and striving to achieve the ultimate ideals of good government. One consolation which I have in this respect, is that the Almighty had to exercise some restrictions on some of the members up there. On one particular individual, called Lucifer. And what is more, our judiciary is absolutely free. To ensure this freedom, appointments to high judicial offices are insulated from considerable political interferences."




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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Nigerian leader, General Yakubu Gowon, declared Tuesday (18 February) that the power of detention without trial in his country will still be compatible with an overall respect for the law.

General Gowon was addressing the opening session of the Sixth Commonwealth Law Ministers' conference in Lagos.

He said he would not be able to give a detailed judicial analysis of his country's system of military government but that the outside world should judge the administration.

The Head of State was welcomed to the conference by Dr. N.B. Graham-Douglas, Nigeria's Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, who was elected chairman.

The conference, which runs until Saturday (22 February), will discuss, among other things, the reciprocal enforcement of judgements between Commonwealth countries, extradition and harmonisation of patent and trademark laws.

Seminars and work-shops on topics of possible future legal cooperation are also being held.

This film includes part of general Gowon's address.