Pandemonium broke on No. 55 off Iorkyaa Ako Street, High Level Makurdi, the Benue State capital when a serving Lance Corporal with the Nigeria Air Force in Port Harcourt, Gulenen Hanmaikul allegedly stabbed his elder brother Jacob to death. Weekly Trust learnt that since the death of their father, the family has not known peace over the assets he left behind. August 25, 2011 was one of the days the family scheduled to resolve some issues.
A close associate of the family told Weekly Trust that on the fateful Thursday, when a lawyer arrived with the will the late soldier was said to have left behind, tempers began to flare. The deceased was said to have been dissatisfied with the content of the will, which spelt out everything in favour of his younger brother, Corporal Hanmaikul.
According to our information, the late Jacob accused the mother of partiality, saying the will did not come from the family lawyer and therefore would not be recognized as it was written with her knowledge to favour his younger brother, a situation he said was against Tiv custom. The deceased insisted that the ‘will’ be altered to his advantage, but the mother and the officer disagreed. With this situation, Jacob opted out of the discussion. However, the mother was said to have begged him to see reason.
Corporal Gulenen was said to have been infuriated by his mother’s action which he viewed as degrading and vowed to teach Jacob a lesson. Corporal Gulenen, it was learnt, dashed into his room, came out with a knife and stabbed Jacob, 35, in the chest, killing him. Gulenen was subsequently arrested by Air Force authorities.
At the 45 Air Force Hospital, Makurdi, where the victim’s body has been deposited, a medical officer declined comment over autopsy report. He referred our correspondent to Air Force Public Relations Officer, who was said to have gone on official assignment as at the time of filing this report.
Family members and sympathizers who converged at No. 55 off Iorkyaa Ako Street to accompany Jacob’s body for burial at Tse Hanmaikul Ayila Mbademagu Mbaachia-Gaav Konshisha Local Government Area on 3rd September, 2011 went home disappointed as the Air Force Command is still holding the victim’s corpse at the time of filing this report.
Benue State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Alaribe Ejike said he was yet to be briefed over the matter.
Monday, 19 September 2011
Man Caught Stealing Baby in Calabar
The sale of young children is silently going on in some parts of Calabar, Cross River State. Even as the State Security Service (SSS) has gotten wind of the disturbing trend and has made arrests, some ‘dealers’ remain on the loose. Before now, it was hardly believable that something beyond the ordinary was happening in the popular settlement called Bogobiri in Calabar South Local Government Area where many Nigerian ethnicities are found. Hausas, Kanuris, Igbos and others from the northern part of Cross River State can also be found living peacefully there.
A lot of trade goes on in Bogobiri, but a handful of illicit ones are bringing the area under the scrutiny of men of law enforcement agencies in the state, because of the booming child-selling business in Bogobiri. Had the SSS not uncovered it last week, everyone would still be going about their business innocently, not knowing that the various cases of missing babies and children in Calabar and other parts of the state are connected with their very area. The SSS picked up three persons who attempted to sell a ten-year-old called Mfon Bassey on a tip-off from a slighted potential buyer.
The SSS Assistant Director, Operations and Intelligence, Mr. Bassey Ntewo told Weekly Trust that on receiving the information, his men were immediately sent to Bogobiri, where the sale was being concluded. He said his men arrested the key suspect, Emmanuel Asuquo Inyang, 28, who is a maternal uncle to the abductee, alongside one Malam Dahiru Abubakar who claimed to be a watch-seller. Also arrested was one Musa Mohammed, 35, who was to allegedly buy the boy at N3 million.
Ntewo said the SSS are intensifying investigations for more arrests because intelligence reports confirm that child-selling in the area and in the state is becoming rampant. The SSS boss said Inyang claims to be a dealer in oil palm in Eneneje in Akamkpa local government where little Mfon lives with his sick mother, Mrs. Idongest Etim Ita, a 25-year-old farmer. Inyang, the key suspect reportedly confessed that he actually negotiated with the facilitator, Abubakar who had approached him in Eneneje some two months ago requesting if he had human beings to sell. Inyang said he was shocked when Dahiru approached him with such a demand, but succumbed when they accepted his terms, adding that they settled for N3m for each child. He said he was asked to bring the ‘goods’ to Bogobiri in Calabar, adding that when he first went there for another negotiation, Mohammed even gave him transport fare.
Speaking in Ibibio, Inyang said: “I had told him (Musa) to give me time, so I can carry out the deal without any suspicion. So when I brought Mfon to one shop in Gbogobiri, I was directed to a particular shop near where Forex is being traded. In the shop, I saw many other children of about same age with Mfon.
But when Mohammed came out, he ordered the children to be moved to another section of the house. I did not know the reason. He then brought a big polythene bag containing money. When I saw it, I was afraid and refused to collect. Surprised at my action, it was then that he said the boy I brought was too small and that they needed an older male. So, he asked me to wait for him, and that if any other person comes to ask me the price for the boy, I should say it is N5 million instead of N3million. I did not know that as he was going outside to invite the police.”
Asked why he did not sell his own children instead of his nephew, Inyang blamed his action on greed, pleading for mercy.
Both Mohammed and Abubakar denied knowing Inyang nor were they attempting to buy the ten-year-old boy. Mohammed said: “I am a tailor and have never dealt in a business of this nature all my life. When he entered my shop, I had called the Police because on many occasions I have worked as an informant to the Police to thwart cases of criminality in Bogobiri. I don’t even know him.”
According to Abubakar, he accepted however that he normally travelled to Eneneje a distant of about30 kilometres from Calabar, to hawk his watches to his many customers but that he has never met Inyang before or ever discussed any business of kidnapping children for sale.
Mfon’s mother told Weekly Trust that she’s yet to recover from the shock. “I have been sick for some time now and this development has complicated my problems. I’m very shocked that Emmanuel, my own nephew, can do this to me.”
Head of the Hausa community in Calabar, Alhaji Jaafar Sarki Lawal, also lives in Bogobiri. He said there is nothing like baby or child-selling in the community. “I have heard about the visits of the SSS, but I am surprised that they are combing my community without my knowledge. However, I encourage them to carry out their lawful duty and if approached, I would give them my assistance wherever possible. Let me also say that I do not know those alleged to be involved in this matter, neither am I aware of any trafficking ring in Bogobiri.”
A resident on Bassey Duke Street, Calabar who preferred anonymity, said she was once approached by a man who asked her playfully if she has babies for sale.
Commissioner for Women Affairs in Cross River State, Mrs. Ekama Iwara said the government was interested in issues such as this. “Cases of trafficking continue to come up, particularly on our territorial waters and borders,” she said, adding that in June last year 56 children were rescued and handed over to NAPTIP.
A lot of trade goes on in Bogobiri, but a handful of illicit ones are bringing the area under the scrutiny of men of law enforcement agencies in the state, because of the booming child-selling business in Bogobiri. Had the SSS not uncovered it last week, everyone would still be going about their business innocently, not knowing that the various cases of missing babies and children in Calabar and other parts of the state are connected with their very area. The SSS picked up three persons who attempted to sell a ten-year-old called Mfon Bassey on a tip-off from a slighted potential buyer.
The SSS Assistant Director, Operations and Intelligence, Mr. Bassey Ntewo told Weekly Trust that on receiving the information, his men were immediately sent to Bogobiri, where the sale was being concluded. He said his men arrested the key suspect, Emmanuel Asuquo Inyang, 28, who is a maternal uncle to the abductee, alongside one Malam Dahiru Abubakar who claimed to be a watch-seller. Also arrested was one Musa Mohammed, 35, who was to allegedly buy the boy at N3 million.
Ntewo said the SSS are intensifying investigations for more arrests because intelligence reports confirm that child-selling in the area and in the state is becoming rampant. The SSS boss said Inyang claims to be a dealer in oil palm in Eneneje in Akamkpa local government where little Mfon lives with his sick mother, Mrs. Idongest Etim Ita, a 25-year-old farmer. Inyang, the key suspect reportedly confessed that he actually negotiated with the facilitator, Abubakar who had approached him in Eneneje some two months ago requesting if he had human beings to sell. Inyang said he was shocked when Dahiru approached him with such a demand, but succumbed when they accepted his terms, adding that they settled for N3m for each child. He said he was asked to bring the ‘goods’ to Bogobiri in Calabar, adding that when he first went there for another negotiation, Mohammed even gave him transport fare.
Speaking in Ibibio, Inyang said: “I had told him (Musa) to give me time, so I can carry out the deal without any suspicion. So when I brought Mfon to one shop in Gbogobiri, I was directed to a particular shop near where Forex is being traded. In the shop, I saw many other children of about same age with Mfon.
But when Mohammed came out, he ordered the children to be moved to another section of the house. I did not know the reason. He then brought a big polythene bag containing money. When I saw it, I was afraid and refused to collect. Surprised at my action, it was then that he said the boy I brought was too small and that they needed an older male. So, he asked me to wait for him, and that if any other person comes to ask me the price for the boy, I should say it is N5 million instead of N3million. I did not know that as he was going outside to invite the police.”
Asked why he did not sell his own children instead of his nephew, Inyang blamed his action on greed, pleading for mercy.
Both Mohammed and Abubakar denied knowing Inyang nor were they attempting to buy the ten-year-old boy. Mohammed said: “I am a tailor and have never dealt in a business of this nature all my life. When he entered my shop, I had called the Police because on many occasions I have worked as an informant to the Police to thwart cases of criminality in Bogobiri. I don’t even know him.”
According to Abubakar, he accepted however that he normally travelled to Eneneje a distant of about30 kilometres from Calabar, to hawk his watches to his many customers but that he has never met Inyang before or ever discussed any business of kidnapping children for sale.
Mfon’s mother told Weekly Trust that she’s yet to recover from the shock. “I have been sick for some time now and this development has complicated my problems. I’m very shocked that Emmanuel, my own nephew, can do this to me.”
Head of the Hausa community in Calabar, Alhaji Jaafar Sarki Lawal, also lives in Bogobiri. He said there is nothing like baby or child-selling in the community. “I have heard about the visits of the SSS, but I am surprised that they are combing my community without my knowledge. However, I encourage them to carry out their lawful duty and if approached, I would give them my assistance wherever possible. Let me also say that I do not know those alleged to be involved in this matter, neither am I aware of any trafficking ring in Bogobiri.”
A resident on Bassey Duke Street, Calabar who preferred anonymity, said she was once approached by a man who asked her playfully if she has babies for sale.
Commissioner for Women Affairs in Cross River State, Mrs. Ekama Iwara said the government was interested in issues such as this. “Cases of trafficking continue to come up, particularly on our territorial waters and borders,” she said, adding that in June last year 56 children were rescued and handed over to NAPTIP.
Friday, 26 August 2011
Suicide bomber at the United Nations House Abuja, Nigeria
Its been confirmed that the bomb blast which occured earlier today was carried out by a suicide bomber. The suicide bomber drove a car and smashed the first gate and the second gate driving straight into the building and detonating the bomb.
As today, the number of casualties is not yet known but emergency services could be seen carrying bodies and the injured to the mortuary and hospital respectively.
Ban ki moon the United Nations Secretary has issued a press statement that terrorism should be condemned in all totality while president Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria has also issued a stern warning for those who wish to destabilise the country.
As today, the number of casualties is not yet known but emergency services could be seen carrying bodies and the injured to the mortuary and hospital respectively.
Ban ki moon the United Nations Secretary has issued a press statement that terrorism should be condemned in all totality while president Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria has also issued a stern warning for those who wish to destabilise the country.
Bomb Blast at the united nations building in Abuja
There was a huge bomb blast today this morning at the United Nations House located here in Abuja at about 9am, people looked on in surprise and unbelief as people stumbled out of the building.
People rush to help as dead bodies started pouring into the national hospital located at area 2 while those who made it were helped into the hospital for treatment.
No body or organisation has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing but this is seem by many as a test for the President Goodluck Jonathan administration to maintain law and other for business and unity to thrive in the country.
People rush to help as dead bodies started pouring into the national hospital located at area 2 while those who made it were helped into the hospital for treatment.
No body or organisation has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing but this is seem by many as a test for the President Goodluck Jonathan administration to maintain law and other for business and unity to thrive in the country.
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Bomb blast averted in Maiduguri again!!
A suspected bomb blast was yesterday foiled when a man gate crashed into the force police headquarters in the Maiduguri, the police officers on duty at the gate suspected the driver when he coundn't wait for the proper check therefore decided to gate crash on seeing this, the police opened fire while the driver of the vehicle drove towards the force building, the driver was however killed in the shoot out.
The police on close inspection found cans of gas and other explosives all fixed together in a cordinated manner to give the desired effect when it explodes.
Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attempt but the police is keeping an open mind not to forget the Boko Haram. However security has been beefed up in the the headquarters.
Insecurity has escalated recently in the country recently while their are complains from the youths that there are no jobs others have turn to other vices like kidnaping, recently John Mikel Obi's father was kidnaped and has still not been found even after the midfielder of Chealsea football club gave a passionate plea for the release of his father.A suspected bomb blast was yesterday foiled when a man gate crashed into the force police headquarters in the Maiduguri, the police officers on duty at the gate suspected the driver when he coundn't wait for the proper check therefore decided to gate crash on seeing this, the police opened fire while the driver of the vehicle drove towards the force building, the driver was however killed in the shoot out.
The police on close inspection found cans of gas and other explosives all fixed together in a cordinated manner to give the desired effect when it explodes.
Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attempt but the police is keeping an open mind not to forget the Boko Haram. However security has been beefed up in the the headquarters.
Insecurity has escalated recently in the country recently while their are complains from the youths that there are no jobs others have turn to other vices like kidnaping, recently John Mikel Obi's father was kidnaped and has still not been found even after the midfielder of Chealsea football club gave a passionate plea for the release of his father.
The police on close inspection found cans of gas and other explosives all fixed together in a cordinated manner to give the desired effect when it explodes.
Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attempt but the police is keeping an open mind not to forget the Boko Haram. However security has been beefed up in the the headquarters.
Insecurity has escalated recently in the country recently while their are complains from the youths that there are no jobs others have turn to other vices like kidnaping, recently John Mikel Obi's father was kidnaped and has still not been found even after the midfielder of Chealsea football club gave a passionate plea for the release of his father.A suspected bomb blast was yesterday foiled when a man gate crashed into the force police headquarters in the Maiduguri, the police officers on duty at the gate suspected the driver when he coundn't wait for the proper check therefore decided to gate crash on seeing this, the police opened fire while the driver of the vehicle drove towards the force building, the driver was however killed in the shoot out.
The police on close inspection found cans of gas and other explosives all fixed together in a cordinated manner to give the desired effect when it explodes.
Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attempt but the police is keeping an open mind not to forget the Boko Haram. However security has been beefed up in the the headquarters.
Insecurity has escalated recently in the country recently while their are complains from the youths that there are no jobs others have turn to other vices like kidnaping, recently John Mikel Obi's father was kidnaped and has still not been found even after the midfielder of Chealsea football club gave a passionate plea for the release of his father.
Friday, 5 August 2011
Nigerian swallowed 67 drugs and dies on flight
A Nigerian travelling with 67 "drug capsules" in his stomach died due to certain complications on board a flight, which had to make an emergency landing at the city airport on Thursday.
The Doha-Kuala Lumpur flight requested an emergency landing after the deceased, Chika Imaneal (26), started vomiting and fell unconscious.
Medical experts at the airport declared Chika dead on arrival. The airport authority informed the Sahar police about the death, who have registered a case of "accidental death".
click to follow smile
The police sent the body for the post-mortem at Cooper Hospital where the doctors recovered the plastic capsules from the stomach.
Vishwas Nagre-Patil, additional commissioner of police (west region), said, "Doctors have sent the recovered capsules for forensic examination to ascertain the contents." The police suspect that Chika was trying to smuggle the capsules.
A source said that Chika could have been died due to poisoning. "In most such cases, capsules burst inside the stomach and the person dies because of poisoning," said a medical expert.
The Doha-Kuala Lumpur flight requested an emergency landing after the deceased, Chika Imaneal (26), started vomiting and fell unconscious.
Medical experts at the airport declared Chika dead on arrival. The airport authority informed the Sahar police about the death, who have registered a case of "accidental death".
click to follow smile
The police sent the body for the post-mortem at Cooper Hospital where the doctors recovered the plastic capsules from the stomach.
Vishwas Nagre-Patil, additional commissioner of police (west region), said, "Doctors have sent the recovered capsules for forensic examination to ascertain the contents." The police suspect that Chika was trying to smuggle the capsules.
A source said that Chika could have been died due to poisoning. "In most such cases, capsules burst inside the stomach and the person dies because of poisoning," said a medical expert.
Al Mustapha; Abdulsalaam wanted Obasanjo dead.
Major Hamza al-Mustapha yesterday continued his sensational defence in the trial for the 1996 murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola by telling the Lagos High Court that he once overheard then police prosecutor Malam Nuhu Ribadu discussing with the then Lagos State Commissioner of Police for Lagos State Mr. Mike Okiro on whether or not he was to be killed.
He said, “The C.O.P [Okiro] was bent on getting a letter from the presidency stating that I be killed before he took any action. He refused to carry out the order. Some weeks later, the Commissioner was transferred out of Lagos State.’’ Al-Mustapha told the court his arrest and eventual incarceration was due to the ambitions of the people in power. He said that if the presumed 1993 presidential election winner Chief M.K.O. Abiola had not been killed, he will not be in prison today.
He said, “My predicament is simply a script that has been written. I was earmarked for this punishment. Abiola’s family is my family. I was told face to face by names I cannot reveal, that I will be killed. They cannot afford to have me around, running my mouth.’’
Major Hamza al-Mustapha who is on trial for the alleged murder of Kudirat Abiola, held the court spell-bound yesterday with fresh revelations of how the intrigues that gripped the nation following the annulment of the June12, 1993 Presidential Election almost led to the execution of former Head of State, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo.
The latest in his tale of scheming for power within the military top brass was that former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar wanted Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo killed.
His statement followed the playing of a video tape showing some Yoruba leaders- Late Abraham Adesanya, late Bola Ige and Ayo Opadokun addressing the media men after a meeting with Gen. Abubakar who was Head of State. The video did not, however, show the Yoruba leaders collecting bribe as alleged by al-Mustapha on Tuesaday.
Major Al-Mustapha who is facing trial for alleged murder of Chief Abiola’s wife, Kudirat, had told the court in his evidence-in-chief last Monday that former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar withdrew huge sums of money from the Central Bank of Nigeria to ‘settle’ Yoruba leaders in order to douse the tension that gripped the South West following the death of Chief Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election on June 7, 1998. He had boasted that he had some video tapes to back his claim that South West leaders were compromised.
Yoruba leaders in Aso Rock
The video tape which was played in court yesterday, however, showed some Yoruba leaders leaving the meeting with General Abdusalam Abubakar at Aso Rock Villa. The video footage which he claimed was shot by his personal bodyguard revealed the faces of late Afenifere leader, Chief Abraham Adesanya; former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige and the former secretary of the National Democratic Coalition, Chief Ayo Opadokun leaving the meeting with the head of state, a day after Abiola’s death but did not contain the explosive revelation promised.
Al-Mustapha, also told the court that former Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar had wanted former President Olusegun Obasanjo executed in 1995 for coup plot.
He said that Abdusalami at a meeting, insisted that the Military Decree on coup plotting promulgated in 1976 when Obasanjo was the Military Head of State, should be applied to him (Obasanjo).
Illegal video tape
“I have the video tape illegally and I even sent a copy to General Obasanjo, with a note where I asked him to be very careful and be watchful,” Al-Mustapha told the court.
“General Abdusalami, who initiated the whole blackmail against me became the Head of State not because he was the best at that particular time, but that was how God used me to prevent bloodbath in this country. Those against Abdusalami then had even planned that he should go to the United Nations Organisation with Military Uniform. Through intelligence, I was able to decode that game plan and sent same to Abdusalami,” he told the court.
He also told the court that he was a pawn in the hands of powerful forces and that he was not responsible for the death of late Kudirat Abiola.
He said, “my predicament is simply a script that had been written. I was
earmarked for this punishment. Abiola’s family is my family. I was told face to face by names I cannot reveal, that I will be killed. They cannot afford to have me around, running my mouth.”
He also alleged that the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, then a Superintendent of police, had wanted him dead, but that he was saved by former Inspector General of Police, Mr Mike Okori, then a Commissioner of Police, who refused to act on a letter from the presidency, that he (Al-Mustapha) be eliminated.
From the video shown, Adesanya told journalists that the discussion with Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar centred on the setting up of a Sovereign National Conference to prepare the constitution by which Nigeria will be ruled. “The Head of State listened to our concerns and we concluded that the Government of National Unity will continue to be in place despite the death of Abiola.”, Adesanya told newsmen
Asked by journalists how Abiola’s death affected the outcome of the meeting,
Adesanya’s response in the video was that he did not know.
Al-Mustapha also tendered a letter allegedly written by him to the Late Bola Ige telling him how he was used to douse tension generated by the death of the late MKO Abiola.
The letter which was read in open court, stated that after Abiola was confirmed dead, Ige was counseled to bring all other South-West leaders under the guise of dousing tension.
“All these actions were deliberate. You were only used unconsciously to ensure that Abiola’s death was covered up. They succeeded in stopping all Yoruba leaders and Abiola’s family from suing by paying them off with huge sums of money withdrawn from the Central Bank,” he said in the letter.
Al-Mustapha had also alleged in the letter that the Chief Ige appointment as Attorney General of the Federation was aimed at rewarding him for the unconscious role he played in Abiola’s murder.
“Unknown to you sir, you were made to deny people their rights even though they knew that you were one of the leading figures in human rights struggle in Nigeria.. The same blood money given to the Yoruba leaders the day after Abiola was murdered was also used in paying the media,” the letter read.
Ribadu wanted me dead
Al-Mustapha also told the court that in 2007, when he was in court, he overheard Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and the then Commissioner of Police for Lagos State, Mr Mike Okiro, who later became the Inspector General of Police, debating on whether or not he (Al-Mustapha) was to be killed.
“The CP was bent on getting a letter from the presidency, stating that I be killed before he took any action. He refused to carry out the order. Some weeks later, CP Okiro was transferred out of Lagos State,” he said.
He said his arrest and incarceration were as a result of the ambitions of the people in power and that if MKO were alive, he will not be in prison.
“The real culprits are in society and are being respected but here I stand, being persecuted for their transgressions. I am a mere victim,” he told the court.
Meanwhile, trial judge, Justice Mojisola Dada adjourned the case till Aug 8, 9, 10 and 11 for continuation of trial.
He said, “The C.O.P [Okiro] was bent on getting a letter from the presidency stating that I be killed before he took any action. He refused to carry out the order. Some weeks later, the Commissioner was transferred out of Lagos State.’’ Al-Mustapha told the court his arrest and eventual incarceration was due to the ambitions of the people in power. He said that if the presumed 1993 presidential election winner Chief M.K.O. Abiola had not been killed, he will not be in prison today.
He said, “My predicament is simply a script that has been written. I was earmarked for this punishment. Abiola’s family is my family. I was told face to face by names I cannot reveal, that I will be killed. They cannot afford to have me around, running my mouth.’’
Major Hamza al-Mustapha who is on trial for the alleged murder of Kudirat Abiola, held the court spell-bound yesterday with fresh revelations of how the intrigues that gripped the nation following the annulment of the June12, 1993 Presidential Election almost led to the execution of former Head of State, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo.
The latest in his tale of scheming for power within the military top brass was that former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar wanted Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo killed.
His statement followed the playing of a video tape showing some Yoruba leaders- Late Abraham Adesanya, late Bola Ige and Ayo Opadokun addressing the media men after a meeting with Gen. Abubakar who was Head of State. The video did not, however, show the Yoruba leaders collecting bribe as alleged by al-Mustapha on Tuesaday.
Major Al-Mustapha who is facing trial for alleged murder of Chief Abiola’s wife, Kudirat, had told the court in his evidence-in-chief last Monday that former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar withdrew huge sums of money from the Central Bank of Nigeria to ‘settle’ Yoruba leaders in order to douse the tension that gripped the South West following the death of Chief Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election on June 7, 1998. He had boasted that he had some video tapes to back his claim that South West leaders were compromised.
Yoruba leaders in Aso Rock
The video tape which was played in court yesterday, however, showed some Yoruba leaders leaving the meeting with General Abdusalam Abubakar at Aso Rock Villa. The video footage which he claimed was shot by his personal bodyguard revealed the faces of late Afenifere leader, Chief Abraham Adesanya; former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige and the former secretary of the National Democratic Coalition, Chief Ayo Opadokun leaving the meeting with the head of state, a day after Abiola’s death but did not contain the explosive revelation promised.
Al-Mustapha, also told the court that former Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar had wanted former President Olusegun Obasanjo executed in 1995 for coup plot.
He said that Abdusalami at a meeting, insisted that the Military Decree on coup plotting promulgated in 1976 when Obasanjo was the Military Head of State, should be applied to him (Obasanjo).
Illegal video tape
“I have the video tape illegally and I even sent a copy to General Obasanjo, with a note where I asked him to be very careful and be watchful,” Al-Mustapha told the court.
“General Abdusalami, who initiated the whole blackmail against me became the Head of State not because he was the best at that particular time, but that was how God used me to prevent bloodbath in this country. Those against Abdusalami then had even planned that he should go to the United Nations Organisation with Military Uniform. Through intelligence, I was able to decode that game plan and sent same to Abdusalami,” he told the court.
He also told the court that he was a pawn in the hands of powerful forces and that he was not responsible for the death of late Kudirat Abiola.
He said, “my predicament is simply a script that had been written. I was
earmarked for this punishment. Abiola’s family is my family. I was told face to face by names I cannot reveal, that I will be killed. They cannot afford to have me around, running my mouth.”
He also alleged that the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, then a Superintendent of police, had wanted him dead, but that he was saved by former Inspector General of Police, Mr Mike Okori, then a Commissioner of Police, who refused to act on a letter from the presidency, that he (Al-Mustapha) be eliminated.
From the video shown, Adesanya told journalists that the discussion with Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar centred on the setting up of a Sovereign National Conference to prepare the constitution by which Nigeria will be ruled. “The Head of State listened to our concerns and we concluded that the Government of National Unity will continue to be in place despite the death of Abiola.”, Adesanya told newsmen
Asked by journalists how Abiola’s death affected the outcome of the meeting,
Adesanya’s response in the video was that he did not know.
Al-Mustapha also tendered a letter allegedly written by him to the Late Bola Ige telling him how he was used to douse tension generated by the death of the late MKO Abiola.
The letter which was read in open court, stated that after Abiola was confirmed dead, Ige was counseled to bring all other South-West leaders under the guise of dousing tension.
“All these actions were deliberate. You were only used unconsciously to ensure that Abiola’s death was covered up. They succeeded in stopping all Yoruba leaders and Abiola’s family from suing by paying them off with huge sums of money withdrawn from the Central Bank,” he said in the letter.
Al-Mustapha had also alleged in the letter that the Chief Ige appointment as Attorney General of the Federation was aimed at rewarding him for the unconscious role he played in Abiola’s murder.
“Unknown to you sir, you were made to deny people their rights even though they knew that you were one of the leading figures in human rights struggle in Nigeria.. The same blood money given to the Yoruba leaders the day after Abiola was murdered was also used in paying the media,” the letter read.
Ribadu wanted me dead
Al-Mustapha also told the court that in 2007, when he was in court, he overheard Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and the then Commissioner of Police for Lagos State, Mr Mike Okiro, who later became the Inspector General of Police, debating on whether or not he (Al-Mustapha) was to be killed.
“The CP was bent on getting a letter from the presidency, stating that I be killed before he took any action. He refused to carry out the order. Some weeks later, CP Okiro was transferred out of Lagos State,” he said.
He said his arrest and incarceration were as a result of the ambitions of the people in power and that if MKO were alive, he will not be in prison.
“The real culprits are in society and are being respected but here I stand, being persecuted for their transgressions. I am a mere victim,” he told the court.
Meanwhile, trial judge, Justice Mojisola Dada adjourned the case till Aug 8, 9, 10 and 11 for continuation of trial.
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