In view of the particular difficulties encountered by Nigeria in implementing the Covenant, the Chairman of the Committee decided on 29 November 1995 on the basis of rule 66, paragraph 2, of its rules of procedure, after the closure of the fifty-fifth session, to transmit the following special decision to the Government of Nigeria on behalf of the Committee:

The Human Rights Committee, through its Chairman acting under rule 66, paragraph 2, of the Committee's rules of procedure on behalf and after consultation with the members of the Committee,

Deeply concerned by recent executions after trials that were not in conformity with provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

Noting that the initial report of Nigeria was due for submission to the Committee on 28 October 1994,

Acting under article 40, paragraph 1 (b), of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights:

1. Requests the Government of Nigeria to submit its initial report without delay for discussion by the Committee at its fifty-sixth session in March/April 1996 and, in any event, to submit by 31 January 1996 a report, in summary form if necessary, relating in particular to the application at the present time of articles 6, 7, 9 and 14 of the Covenant;

2. Requests the Secretary-General to bring this decision to the attention of the Government of Nigeria.