CAT/C/21/D/100/1997 page 5 Nigerian authorities would pay much attention to such opinions, or want to pursue the author on that basis, since his views are mild in comparison to the criticisms levelled at the regime by the Nigerian press or by the opposition in exile, if in fact the Nigerian authorities are even aware of the author's articles, considering the small circulation of the publications in question. 4.8 Finally, the contention that Nigerian asylum-seekers in general, and the author in particular as an asylum-seeker, are arrested on their return is unfounded, according to reliable sources available to the Swiss asylum authorities. No properly substantiated case has been reported that supports the notion that rejected asylum-seekers are systematically persecuted simply for filing an application for asylum. 4.9 Having carefully examined the case in question as well as the situation in the country of origin, the State party consequently considers that there are no substantial grounds for believing that the author would risk being subjected to torture if he returned to Nigeria. Author's comments 5.1 The author stresses that, despite the brutality of the political regime in Nigeria, the Swiss authorities have systematically rejected all asylum applications by Nigerian citizens for at least seven years now. As for the matter of discrepancies in his statements, he contends that he has consistently said that he went to Epe after learning of the warrant for his arrest, which confirms his credibility. 5.2 It has not been established that the documents he submitted were forged. The decision of the district court was substantiated only briefly because the court suggested that the author should forego a detailed statement of the grounds, but the proceedings themselves were not conducted in a summary manner. Issues and proceedings before the Committee 6.1 Before considering any claims contained in the communication, the Committee against Torture must decide whether or not it is admissible under article 22 of the Convention. The Committee has ascertained, as it is required to do under article 22, paragraph 5 (a) of the Convention, that the same matter has not been and is not being examined under another procedure of international investigation or settlement. The Committee also notes that all domestic remedies have been exhausted, and finds there are no further obstacles to its declaring the communication admissible. Since the State party and the author have both made comments regarding the substance of the communication, the Committee will proceed to consider the communication on its merits. 6.2 The Committee must decide whether sending the author back to Nigeria would violate the State party's obligation under article 3 of the Convention not to expel or return (refouler) an individual to another State if there are substantial grounds to believe that he would be in danger of being subjected to torture.