Tag Archives: Ishaya Bamaiyi

MKO Abiola could not have died the way it was reported – Ishaya Bamaiyi

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Ishaya Bamaiyi, a former chief of army staff, says Moshood Abiola, winner of the presidential election of 1993, could not have died the way he reportedly did.

On July 7, 1998, Abiola died under unclear circumstances shortly after the demise of Sani Abacha, former military ruler.

After winning the presidential election, Abiola was thrown in jail when he declared himself president despite the annulment of the polls.

He was supposed to be released the day he died.

The autopsy report showed that Abiola died of natural causes. Another autopsy report which was produced by an international group of coroners was never released.

Hamza Al-Mustapha, former chief security officer to Abacha, had alleged that Abiola was beaten to death.

But in his book, ‘Vindication of a General’, Bamaiyi said when he led a delegation to commiserate with Abiola’s family, he learned that the politician was given a cup of tea.

“His death came as a surprise to me because he had been healthy when we met. One evening, the head of state, General Abubakar called while I was in Lagos to tell me we had a problem,” he wrote.

“I asked what was wrong and he told me Chief Abiola was dead. I was shocked and asked him what we were going to do about it. He told me he was handling the situation.

“Abiola could not have died the way he reportedly died.”

He also noted that the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) was the reason why Moshood Abiola stayed in detention until his death.

Bamaiyi said Abacha was ready to release Abiola on some conditions but NADECO members advised him against taking the deal.

He explained that himself and Ibrahim Gumel, a former chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), were able to convince Abacha that Abiola “was not going to be a threat and could be handled”.

“Gumel and I went to Gen. Abacha and pleaded for Abiola’s release. Abacha agreed to release Abiola with some conditions,” he wrote.

“We conveyed Abacha’s agreement to release Abiola to Bafyau, who briefed some NADECO members on Abacha’s readiness to release Abiola with some conditions.

“These NADECO members advised Abiola not to accept release with conditions and kept him in detention. Initially, Abiola accepted the conditional release, and a judge was brought to Abuja to perfect it.

“The release documents were ready, and Abiola was to go and sign them, but some NADECO members advised him against doing so, and he remained in detention until his death.”

 

Source: The Cable

Abacha ‘saved’ Nigeria’s funds abroad to buy arms for peacekeeping – Bamaiyi

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Ishaya Bamaiyi, a former chief of army staff, says Sani Abacha, former military head of state, transferred money to some European countries to enable Nigeria buy arms and ammunition for peacekeeping missions in the West African region.

According to ForeFront, Bamaiyi said this in his book ‘Vindication of a General’ which was launched on Thursday.

He said that the country at the time was abandoned by its western allies and there was need for Nigeria to keep playing its peacekeeping roles in the region.

The former chief of army staff explained that this informed the decision to transfer funds to “a bit friendly” countries so arms and ammunition could be bought.

“The subject of money supposedly looted by the late General Abacha is a key issue in Nigeria’s diplomatic relationship with many Western countries. I am not in a position to defend Abacha or suggest he did not tamper with the wealth of Nigeria, because I was not in a position to know how as a Head of State he handled Nigeria’s funds,” it read.

“I am however in a position to say what I know led to the transfer of funds to some countries in Europe and may be other countries outside Europe. It is a known fact that Nigeria was virtually abandoned by some of its traditional Western allies during the Abacha government and it became difficult for the country to purchase arms and ammunition to conduct operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone at that time, especially after the execution of Ken Saro Wiwa.

“In the light of the increasingly battered international image of Nigeria and even references to Nigeria in academic circle as a ‘rogue’ state, some decisions had to be taken if Nigeria was to continue to play its role as a stabiliser in the West African region, a role very much valued by the United Nations.

“A decision was therefore reached to keep money in some countries that were a bit friendly to Nigeria. This decision was taken at a meeting in which the then Minister of Finance, Chief Anthony Ani, was present. It was agreed that some funds be transferred to some selected countries to ensure that government was in a position to get vital imports as and when necessary.

“That informed the transfer of funds to some countries. I am glad that Chief Anthony Ani, the then finance minister, once tried to explain this in a newspaper interview publication.”

He said the importation of the said arms also put him in conflict with security operatives as they thought that he wanted to overthrow the Abacha regime.

“I was then out of Lagos and the contractors contacted me and told me what was happening. I told them not to worry and should not answer any question,” he said.

“I believe that the security operatives contacted General Abacha who must have told them that he approved the purchase of the ammunition. No one ever asked me or talked to me about this issue till I retired from service.”

 

Source: The Cable

Ex-Army Chief, Bamaiyi, plans tell-all book on Abacha regime role.

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Former Chief of Army Staff, Ishaya Bamaiyi, says he has written a book, titled “Vindication Of The General” to correct “misinformation” about his role during the regime of former dictator, Sani Abacha.

Mr. Bamaiyi, who was charged in 1999 with the attempted murder of the publisher of the Guardian newspaper, Alex Ibru, is seen as one of the henchmen of the 1993-1998 Abacha regime.

He was discharged and acquitted on April 2, 2008 after nine years in detention.

“I have written a book for people to know what really happened to me during my active service inside and outside government,” he said when he received Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, who paid him a condolence visit on Sunday in Zuru, Kebbi State, over the death of a relation.

He said the date for the book launch will be made public as soon as all arrangements are concluded.

He used the opportunity to advise elders and youth of his native Zuru emirate to desist from acts that have brought political, social and economic underdevelopment of the area.

“Eight people expressed their desire to aspire for governorship from the emirate during our agitation for power in 2015 and the emirate was asked to produce a governor.

“At the end of the day, three that emerged as aspirants did not make it.

“Your religion is between you and your God and not with a fellow human being,” he said.

He expressed appreciation to the Deputy Senate Leader for the visit and the long standing relationship.

“Na’Allah has been in the team of my lawyers during my trials,” he said.

Mr. Na’Allah condoled Mr. Bamaiyi, his family, the people of Zuru and Kebbi State over the loss.

“I have made it a duty that whoever has a hand in making me what I am today will always be remembered and carried along,” he said.

Late Habila Andrew Nama, Mr. Bamaiyi’s relation, died in Port Harcourt after a protracted illness. He is survived by a wife and three children.