Summary of Events In and Around Nigeria: April/May 1996.
Johnson Agbinya
SUMMARY OF VITAL EVENTS IN AND AROUND NIGERIAN: APRIL/MAY 1996
Events in Nigeria within 3 weeks collected together. When looked at
in isolation, they may not mean much, but collectively, they paint
a bad picture.
Source of information: ANA News updates, Reuters, Associated Press,
PANA, and NDM Updates.
Happy reading.
Johnson I Agbinya
President, The ANA
Thursday, 18 Apr 1996 (Associated Press/Reuters)
1. "Nigeria's Abacha Fires 16 Generals In Military Purge"
Retired Generals:
1. Major-General Alwal Kazir - Former Chief of Army Staff
2. Major-General Aderonke Kale - Former Director, Army Med. Corps
(a woman "General")
3. Major-General A.T. Togun - Former SSS Dep. Director
(implicated in the Dele Giwa case)
4. Major-General Cyril Iweze - Def. Hqs, Former ECOMOG Chief of
Staff
5. Major-General Ishaya Bakut - PSO, Aso Rock, Former Army Ops.
Chief
6. Brig-Gen. A.A. Adeleke - Dir., Armed Forces Resett. Centre
7. Brig-Gen. Ahmed Abdullahi - Former Ist Div. GOC
8. Brig-Gen. Edet Akpan - Former NYSC Dir., Army Ed. Corps
9. Brig-Gen. O.B. Fakunle - Army HQ
10. Brig-Gen. J.O. Williams - Former ECOMOG Chief of Staff
11. Brig-Gen. E.S. Olutunmogun - Army Medical Corps
12. Brig. A.I. Ayilla - Army Hq.
13. Brig.-Gen. R.I. Elabor - Army Finance Corps
14. Brig-Gen O.I. Ikponwen - Army Hqs.
15. Brig.Gen Olusegun Fayomi - Army Educational Corps
16. Brig-Gen. A. Bayeroju - Corps unknown
17. Brig-General M.B. Alfred - TRADOC
18. Brig-Gen T.M. Zakari - Def. Hqs; First Admin, Kogi State
19. Col. E.O. Mark - Instructor, Command & Staff
College, younger borther of exiled
Brig-Gen. David Mark
20. Col. I.C. Zaro - Nigerian Def. Academy
21. Col. B.K. Folayan - Corps Unknown
22. Col. S. Oladeinde - Corps Unknown
23. Col. A.G. Harry - Corps Unknown
24. Col. I.H. Orung - Corps Unknown
About 150 additional officers were also retired.
Thisday newspaper said apart from the generals, many other lower-ranking
officers of the army had been retired.
Diplomats and political analysts say the retirements should help Abacha
to consolidate his position and neutralize even the slightest hint of
challenge to his authority.
``It keeps everyone on their toes and shows them who is in charge,'' one
Western diplomat commented.
2. Benin Republic Opens boarder with Nigeria.
3. (Reuters) - A magistrates court on Thursday acquitted a British journalist
(Paul Adams) on trial in Nigeria since January on charges of possessing
seditious material.
The court sitting in the southeastern oil city of Port Harcourt, Rivers
state said Paul Adams, Lagos correspondent of London-based Financial Times
newspaper, was free to go after the director of public prosecution withdrew
the case.
``I am pleased that this is all over,'' Adams said in reaction to the
development.
Adams was arrested in early January by the State Security Service in the
volatile Ogoniland and detained for a week.
He was freed on bail after he was charged in court.
3. Nigeria, April 20, 1996, Nigeria's military junta removes second traditional
ruler, a role usually reserved for traditional chieftaincy owners.
The spiritual leader of Nigeria's Moslems, Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki (72) of Sokoto,
has been removed from office after being taken away by police on Saturday.
"The Sultan of Sokoto has been removed and an announcement will be made on
his replacement tomorrow," Sokoto state military administrator Colonel
Yakubu Muazu said on local radio..........
The eight reasons given in the statement for the removal of the sultan
included showing disrespect for government, travelling without permission,
misusing money sent by foreign donors for mosques and schools and
involvement in a failed bank.
He is accused of being behind Saudi Arabia's ban
on Nigerian pilgrims entering the country.
1988: Babangida installs Ibrahim Dasuki as Sultan over Maccido
against the peoples' wishes. Riots ensue. Dasuki remains Sultan.
1994: Babangida steps down after annulling June 12 1993 elections.
Installs Shonekan as Interim Government head.
1994: Abacha takes over after lurking behind Shonekan as Defence
Minister.
1996: Abacha dethrones Dasuki and enthrones Maccido.
Joyous communal eruptions ensue. Babangida barred from
visiting Sokoto.
4. LONDON (Reuter) - Ministers from the Commonwealth formed by Britain and
its former possessions increased pressure on outcast Nigeria Tuesday,
recommending a series of sanctions against the Lagos government to push it
toward democracy.
During the meeting, Canada and New Zealand took a hardline approach.
Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy pressed for effective economic
sanctions, while New Zealand's Don McKinnon said Nigeria could even be
expelled.
A White House official said Monday that Washington was hoping the
eight-nation Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) meeting impose a
set of targeted sanctions against Nigeria, though he made no mention of the
oil embargo the pro-democracy activists have been pressing for.
Nigeria's junta retorts:
``The CMAG is not the kind of mechanism we are looking for,''
THEY RESPECT ON ONE! AND GIVE HEED TO NO ONE!!
5. GENEVA (Reuter) April 23: Nigeria was censured at the U.N.'s highest human
rights forum Tuesday for violating the fundamental freedoms of its citizens, but
escaped calls for a permanent U.N. investigator into its human rights
practices.
The U.N. Human Rights Commission adopted by consensus a resolution
expressing ``deep concern'' about rights abuses and urging the Nigerian
government to restore habeas corpus and release all political prisoners.
Nigerian activists expressed dismay, however, that the Commission backed
down on an earlier draft of the resolution which would have appointed a
``special rapporteur'' to monitor future abuses.
``Unfortunately, they wanted consensus, which appears to be the new craze
in the Commission, and that paragraph was withdrawn,'' said Innocent Chukwuma
of Nigeria's Civil Liberties Organization. ``We're very disappointed.''
The earlier draft had also warned that 21 Ogonis faced trial according to
the ``same flawed judicial process that led to the arbitrary execution of Ken
Saro-Wiwa and his associates'' but that was changed to say that ``further
persons'' could be tried.
6. Amnesty International said recently that 101 executions were carried out
last year in Kazakhsan - putting Kazakhstan fourth in the world behind China,
Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
7. Diplomatic Appointments
March/April Government Appointments made by the junta to cement its strangle
hold on northern Nigeria.
1. To South Africa - Shehu Malami (brother to the new Sultan
of Sokoto, Maccido), rabid Islamist
2. To the United States - Alhaji Adamu Hassan, the Wakili of Adamawa,
millionaire businessman.
3. To China - Alhaji Zubair Kazaure (following a recent non-stellar
stint in the US as Ambassador)
4. To the United Kingdom (?) - Ernest Shonekan (installed as Interim Head
of State by Babangida in Aug. 93, deposed by
Abacha in Nov. 93, errand boy ever since.)
Would be replacing Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji as
High Commissioner if confirmed
This is payback time for those who have helped to erode human rights
in Nigeria.
8. UN Mission to Nigeria (March 27 - April 11)
No official report has been published yet.
The fact finding mission to Nigeria, comprising:
1. Atsu Koffi Amega, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, and former
President of the Supreme Court of Togo and member of the African
Commission for Human and People's Rights;
2. Justice V.S. Malimath, member of the National Human Rights
Commission of India
3. John P. Pace, Chief of Legislation and Prevention of
Discrimination Branch, Center for Human Rights (from Malta).
4. Mr. Amer Araim, Senior Political Affairs Officer in the
Department of Political Affairs - accompanying UN official (an
Iraqi).
are "working hard on their report, for submission to the Secretary-General",
according to a spokesperson.
9. Still in DETENTION
Chief Gani Fawehinimi, National Conscience Party leader and
activist lawyer, to prevent him from addressing rally of University of Lagos
Students on Tuesday, January 30, 1996. Has collapsed in prison from
severe case of diabetes and hypertension. Celebrated his 58th birthday
on April 22, 1996.
Femi Falana, Lawyer - accused of being behind some write-ups over
REMHFI bombings of pipelines in Ibadan. So far uncharged.
LIFE SENTENCES
Colonel RSB Bello-Fadile - Potiskum
Colonel Lawan Gwadabe - Gboko
Colonel O. Oloruntoba - Calabar
Ex-Major Akinloye Akinyemi - Kaduna
25-YEARS SENTENCES
General Musa Yar'Adua - Port Harcourt
Colonel Rowland Emokpae - Birnin-Kebbi
Lt.-Colonel S.E. Oyewole - Yola
Lt.-Colonel Happy Bulus - Enugu
Major D.O. Obalisa (not Obasa) - Bauchi
Lt. Olowokere - Wukari
Lt.-Colonel M.A. Igwe - Bauchi
Rtd Lt.-Colonel M.A. Ajayi - Maiduguri
Col. G.A. Ajayi - Minna
Col. E.S. Ndubueze - Abeokuta
15 YEARS SENTENCES
Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti - Katsina
General Olusegun Obasanjo - Yola
Mrs. Chris Anyanwu - Gombe
Ben Charles Obi - Ibadan
Kunle Ajibade - Makurdi
Mallam Shehu Sani - Aba
Felix Ndamaigida - Ilesha
Ms. Rebecca O. Ikpe - Zaria
Staff Sergeant Patrick Usikpeko - Uyo
2nd Lt. Richard Emonvhe - Kano
Sanusi Mato - Owerri
Julius Badejo - Gusau
Matthew Popoola - Mubi
Captain M.A. Ibrahim - Akure
Moses Ayegba - Benin
Commander LMO Fabiyi - Sokoto
Lt.-Col. R.B. Obiki - Gboko
OTHER SENTENCES
Lt. Col. S.B. Mapaiyeda (12 months) - Onitsha
Captain A.A. Ogunsuyi (2 years) - Umuahia
The following have now completed their short sentences and have been released:
SIX MONTH SENTENCES
Lt.-Colonel C.P. Izuorgu - Ilorin
Lt.-Colonel O.E. Nyong - Gashua
Lt.-Colonel V.O. Bamgbose - Awka
Ms. Quinnet Lewis Alagoa - Female Kirikiri
Cpt. Godspower Obionouvia - Argungu
Major I.O. Edeh - Kotangora
Lance Corporal Joseph Onwe - Keffi
There has been no confirmation of release yet, as is the case of other similar
announcements of (non-coup) detainees such as Chief Fred Eno.
The Whereabouts of These detainees are unknwon:
1. Peter Ijaola
2. Captain U.S.A. Suleiman
3. Lt. Col Alaga
The Other Political Detainees
=============================
1. Chief MKO Abiola
2. Chief Frank Kokori
3. Mr. Ayo Opadokun
4. Mr. Abdul Oroh
5. Mr. Olawale Oshun
6. Mr. Chima Ubani
7. Dr. Tunji Abayomi
8. Nosa Igiebor
9. Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group Declarations:
The recently concluded Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group
(CMAG) of the Harare Declaration meeting at Malborough House, London, on
23 April, 1996, led to the following recommendations
which is virtually nothing further on Nigeria beyond:
"* visa restrictions on members of the Nigerian regime and their
families;
* withdrawal of military attaches;
* cessation of military training
* embargo on the export of arms;
* denial of educational facilities to members of the Nigerian
regime and their families;
* an immediate visa-based ban on all sporting contacts;
* a down-grading of cultural links;
* the downgrading of diplomatic missions. "
CMAG declared: "...the fact that the Government of Nigeria had
so far declined to receive the ministerial missue to pursue dialogue at the
highest level.... and the general human rights situation in the
country had continued to deterioriate; for example not only had
political and other detainees not been released but further political
detentions had occurred." With respect to a "ban on airlinks with
Nigeria and additional economic measures, including frereezing the
financial assets and bank accounts in foreign countries of members,
of the regime and their families".
Nigeria In Focus: April 27.
10. Bomb blast at Nigerian airforce base, two weeks after an explosion
at army camp.
U.S. government suffers setback in its campaign against Nigeria; White
House spokesman admits no consensus on imposing oil embargo.
One-time military governor retired colonel Abubakar Umar says in
interview that only validation of annulled 1993 election will resolve
Nigeria's political crisis.
11. Police kill "80 armed robber suspects" in Lagos in past two months.
Quotes are mine.
12.HARARE, Zimbabwe (PANA) - The commonwealth has agreed on tough
measures to further isolate Nigeria and force Africa's most populous
nation to respect human rights and restore democracy.
The measures, agreed at a meeting in London of the Commonwealth
Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) chaired by Zimbabwe, include the
banning of air links with Nigeria, and freezing the assets and bank
accounts held in foreign countries by members and families of its
military regime led by Gen. Sani Abacha.
"Commonwealth countries have been given 30 days to start implementing
these measures," Zimbabwe's foreign affairs minister and chairman of
the CMAG, Stan Mudenge, said on Friday at a media briefing in Harare.
He said the group had also decided to downgrade diplomalic missions of
Commonwealth member countries, impose visa restrictions on members of
the Nigerian regime and their families, withdraw military attaches,
suspend military training, ban export of arms and downgrade cultural
links.
Members of the Nigerian regime and their families would be denied
educational facilities, and an immediate visa-based ban would be
imposed on all sporting links, he said.
This week's meeting of the CMAG was held to review the Harare
declaration made at the 1991 Commonwealth heads of government meeting
(CHOGM) on good governance and human rights.
"The group reviewed measures which the Commonwealth could take in
order to register continuing disapproval of developments in Nigeria,
as well as to encourage the Nigerian authorities to adhere to Harare
principles," said Mudenge.
"Not only have political and other detainees not been released, but
further political detentions have occurred," said Mudenge.
13.COTONOU, Benin (PANA) - Benin's foreign and interior ministers, Pierre
Osho and Theophile N'Da, visited for the first time Thursday the site
where some 900 Nigerian refugees who fled their country early this
year have been settled.
The refugees, from Ogoniland, have applied for asylum in Benin.
The site, located in the southewestern locality of Come (60 km from
Cotonou), is faced with serious shortage of facilities.
But, the UNHCR is trying to solve the problems, Benin Radio reported.
Refugees interviewed by the radio expressed fears about the location
of the site, saying it was not far from the Nigerian border.
Besides, they said, Nigerian authorities have been trying to locate
the site.
The authorities in Cotonou are still studying the refugees application
for asylum.
April 30, 1996.
14. LAGOS, April 30 (Reuter) - Canada will establish a $2.2 million fund to
support democracy in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and the Gambia, the Canadian
embassy said on Tuesday.
The fund will help to development democracy in the three English-speaking
West African states over the next two years, an embassy statement said.
``The fund will contribute to the strengthening of civil society, and in
some instances, will provide election support,'' the statement added.
``This fund is particularly important for Nigeria, where people are
suffering under the (General Sani) Abacha regime and desperately need
support,'' it said.
May 2, 1996
15. Alani Akinrinade's House Torched.
- Fire razes the home of exiled general Alani Akinrinade in circumstances
suspected to be arson.
LAGOS, May 2 (Reuter) - Unidentifed attackers threw petrol bombs at the
Lagos home of exiled Nigerian general Alani Akinrinade, newspapers
reported on Thursday.
The attack early on Wednesday morning started a blaze, witnesses
told the newspapers.
``I was woken from a deep sleep by a huge explosion at about 5 a.m.
I just saw fire balls all around,'' Funso Akinrinade, the general's son,
told the Guardian.
There were no reports of injuries but the interior of the house was
destroyed in the blaze......."
16. LAGOS, Nigeria (Reuter) - Nigeria's military rulers have retired dozens
of airforce and navy officers, two weeks after scores of army brass were
swept out, military officials said Thursday.
``I have heard of the retirements but I do not yet have any official
report,'' defense headquarters spokesman Brig.-Gen. Fred Chijuka said. He
declined to comment further.
Local newspapers named senior naval officers, including commerce minister
Rear Admiral Isaac Areola, flag officer of the western naval command Rear
Adm. Rufus Eyitayo and chief of fleet support Rear Adm. Oladele Dada among
those retired.
They said 10 group captains, six wing commanders and 10 squadron leaders,
among many others, were retired from the airforce.
The retirements took effect from Tuesday, they said.
Military-ruled Nigeria does not officially announce military retirements.
``There is no doubt now about who is in command in the country,'' said
one.
Air Vice Marshals (3):
1. O. Adekanye
2. V. Omozobe
3. F. Bolarinwa - Director, Airforce Medical Services
Air Commodores (1):
4. B. Bolarinwa
Group Captains (10):
5. S. Adigun
6. A. Ojo
7. J. Ojikutu
8. O. Adewole
9. N. Salami
10. F. Ademulegun
11. W. Clarke
12. W. Adeboye
13. N. Tindiocha
14. C. Lawal
Rear-Admirals (3)
15. Isaac Areola - Commerce Minister
16. Rufus Eyitayo - Flag Officer, Western Navy Command
17. Oladele Dada - Chief of Naval Support
Six wing commanders, 10 squadron leaders, 6 Flight Lieutenants and 2
Flight Officers wer also announced as retired.
Additional officers to be announced.