Annan talked to Abiola, says official

Abuja - A senior Nigerian official said yesterday the UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, had met the detained presidential …

Abuja - A senior Nigerian official said yesterday the UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, had met the detained presidential claimant, Chief Moshood Abiola, and discussed terms for his possible release.

"I can assure you that the two men have met and also that no final conclusions have been made as regards a release," the official said in Abuja.

The official declined to give the exact time and place of the meeting. UN officials said they could not confirm that a meeting took place and any questions would be answered by Mr Annan at a briefing today.

Mr Abiola was detained in 1994 for declaring himself president on the basis of annulled 1993 elections and in defiance of then military ruler Gen Sani Abacha who died suddenly on June 8th.