42. On 10th December 1996 the Secretariat sent a Note Verbale to the government informing it of the decisions of the Commission. 43. On 29th April, the Secretariat received a letter from Mr Olisa Agbakoba entitled 'Preliminary objections and observations to the Mission of the Commission which visited Nigeria from March 7th-14th 1997. The document was submitted on behalf of INTERIGTS with regard to 14 communications, including this one. 44. Among the objections raised and or observations made were: a) "the neutrality, credibility and relevance; and composition of the mission". 45. At its 21st Session held in April 1997, the Commission postponed taking decision on the Merits to the next session, pending the submission of scholarly article and court decisions by the complainants to assist it in its decision. The Commission also awaits further analysis of its report of the mission to Nigeria. It must be stated that Mr Chidi Odinkalu did send the article mentioned above. 46. On 22nd May, the Complainants were informed of the Commission's decision, while the State was informed on May 28th. 47. Communication 154/96 is dated 6th November 1995 and received at the Secretariat on 4th March 1996. 48. The communication requested the Commission to take interim measures to prevent the executions. A supplementary submission was sent with the communication informing the Commission that the executions had taken place on 10th November but that the communication was reaffirmed. 49. On 13th November 1995 the Nigerian Government wrote to the Commission informing it of the Government's view of the situation. 50. On 20th November 1995 the High Commission of Nigeria in The Gambia giving its opinion on the matter. 51. On 21st November 1995 the Commission wrote to the High Commission of Nigeria in The Gambia requesting a copy of the Justice's judgement in the case. 52. On 12th March 1996 a confirmation was sent to this effect by the Complainant. 53. At the 19th Session in March 1996 the communication was not considered, but the Commission took a general view of all the communications against Nigeria and deferred any decision on cases pending the accomplishment of its proposed mission to Nigeria. 54. On 13th August 1996 a complete copy of the communication was sent to the government of Nigeria. 55. On 13th August 1996 a letter was sent to the Complainant informing him of the status of the case. 56. On 4th February 1997, the Secretariat received a letter entitled supplementary submissions with respect to communication No. 154/96. 57. On 4th April, the Secretariat acknowledged receipt of the letter. 58. On 29th April, the Secretariat received a letter from Mr Olisa Agbakoba entitled 'Preliminary objections and observations' to the Mission of the Commission which visited Nigeria from March 7th-14th 1997. The document was submitted on behalf of INTERIGHTS with regard to 14 communications, including this one. 59. Among the objections raised and or observations made were: a) the neutrality, credibility and relevance; and composition of the mission". 60. At its 21st Session held in April 1997, the Commission postponed taking decision on the merits to the next session, pending the submission of scholarly articles and court case by the Complainants to assist it in its decision. The Commission also awaits further analysis of its report of the mission to Nigeria. 61. On 22nd May, the Complainants were informed of the Commission's decision, while the State was informed on May 28th. 62. On May 27th, the Secretariat received a letter from the Complainant entitled 'Additional Information on Ouster Clauses in Nigerian Law' in which he promised to furnish the Secretariat with the information requested by the Commission at its 21st Session "within the next three weeks". 63. From this day on the procedure is identical to communications 137/94 and 139/94. 64. Communication 161/97 was received on 10th January 1997. 65. On 14th January 1997 a Note Verbale with a copy of the communication was sent to the Ministry of External Affairs, copy to the Special Legal Adviser to the Head of State, the Nigerian High Commission, and the Embassy of Nigeria in Addis Ababa. 66. On 23rd January 1997 an acknowledgement of receipt was sent to the Complainant. 67. At its 21st Session held in April 1997, the Commission postponed taking decision on the merits to the next session, pending the submission of scholarly articles and court case by the Complainants to assist it in its decision. The Commission also awaits further analysis of its report of the mission to Nigeria. 68. On 22nd May, the Complainants were informed of the Commission's decision, while the State was informed on May 28th. 4