Obasanjo's Dangerous Mission (fwd)
Abba Gumel
Now Obasanjo has extended the time limit of the investigation into
uncompleted projects, supplies and services to as far back as 1976 and not
1984 as earlier indicated.
Perhaps, he has nothing to hide and may as such be reacting to public
opinion. However, we think this should extend to investigations into human
rights abuses. Really, there should be no holds barred in trying to use such
vista to achieve national reconciliation.
But a note of warning. Such probes in other places produced negative
results, except in South Africa. Event there, almost got out of control. Are
we staging another Nuremberg? Is this another Rwanda War Crime Tribunal or
one of such the West has asked for Yugoslavia?
It is advisable that Obasanjo should tread cautiously in this crusade for
justice because there are many minefields along the way.
No past Nigerian military leader in peace time has not got a dark spot in
civil rights violation and abridgement. Even the venerable General (Dr.)
Yakubu Gowon has so many abuses committed during his tenure. All these will
be laid bare at the rights abuse tribunal.
President Olusegun Obasanjo's tenure as a military leader, 1976-1979
unfortunately saw the trial and execution of military officers and
civilians. Mrs. Wya swore at that time that her husband was not involved in
any coup attempt, but her plea was rejected. Colonel Abdul Wya's and Colonel
Tense's bodies lie smouldering in the grave. Both were military engineers.
Mrs. Wya was driving in her native Scotland when an informed source told her
that her husband was innocent, and the lady suddenly lost control and
crushed to death. What a double tragedy! And Wya was executed publicly.
Consequently, a letter from the Government sympathised the death of Wya.
Colonel Isa Bukar was discharged and released only to be re-tried and
executed. Brigadier General Samuel O. Ogbemudia was tried and acquitted
during that coup trial, only for the Commander-in-Chief to order his
re-trial.
But for Major-General Emmanuel Abisoye and Major-General John Obada, who
stood their grounds during the trial, according to informed sources, his
life would have been wasted.
Police Commissioner Clement Gomwalk, however, was not that lucky even though
there were doubts of his complicity
Mr. Allison Ayida, former Secretary to the Federal Government, in his reply
to Obasanjo's "Not My Will", said there was doubt about the guilt of one of
those executed persons and voting at the Supreme Military Council tied. The
Commander-in-Chief cast his vote in favour of execution. This is a terrible
disclosure that will be a lesson to all.
That was unusual justice. Does the law not provide for acquittal if there is
any iota of doubt? Major-General Emmanuel Abisoye recently, in an interview
with a national newspaper, regretted being part of that tribunal.
Witnesses at the human rights probe will delve into students crises and
killings, dismissals of university teachers across the country, doctors'
strikes and other crises which may rattle the President. Remember "Ali must
go" saga.
Innocent public servants woke up in those traumatic days to hear on radio
that their means of livelihood had been forcibly stopped immediately on no
known government regulations.
So, those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Obasanjo is an
accepted Nigerian leader. He should leave vengeance to God. We agree with
his Grace, Dr. Olubunmi Okogie, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, that he must
steer such course that would bring immediate relief to Nigerians. If there
must be a probe it should start down from 1970 or before.
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