PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 44/26/98
28 April 1998
Further information on UA 406/97 (AFR 44/30/97, 22 December 1997, AFR 44/06/98,
13 March 1998) - Fear of execution/ torture or ill-treatment / Legal concern
/ Death penalty
NIGERIA
Five convicted of treason and conspiracy, sentenced to death:
Lieutenant-General D. Oladipo Diya, 54, former Vice-Chairman, Provisional
Ruling Council, Chief of General Staff
Major-General Abdulkarim Adisa, 50, former Minister of Works and Housing
Major-General Tajudeen Olanrewaju, 51, former Minister of Communications
Major Olusegun Fadipe, chief security officer to General Diya
Lieutenant-Colonel Olu Akinyode, former aide-de-camp to General Olarewanju
One convicted of treason, sentenced to death:
Bola Adebanjo, engineer, associate of General Diya
Four convicted of “information gathering” and implication in the
alleged coup plot, sentenced to life imprisonment:
Colonel Edwin Jando Isaiah Adebowale
Niran Malaolu Shola Shoide (f)
Two convicted of theft and sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment:
Lieutenant-Colonel I.E. Yakasai
Major Biliaminu Mohammed
One convicted of importing arms, sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment:
Colonel Yakubu Bako
Three convicted of theft and handling stolen goods, sentenced to prison terms:
Ojeniyi Ademola (two years) Michael Maidamino (five years)
(new name) Galadima Tanko (two years)
14 acquitted on unspecified charges:
Major Yusuf Isiaku Navy Captain B. A. Shoetan
Warrant Officer Coker Oladosu Staff Sergeant Moses Eni
Corporal I. Kontagora Corporal Eddy Egbunu
Bawa Machido Omatimehin Abimbola
Halima Bawa (f) Eliyasu Mohammed
Professor Femi Odekunle Chief Yomi Tokoya (new name)
Moussa Adede (new name) brahim Moussa Orgar (new name)
Colonel Daniel Akintonde ) released uncharged according to
Colonel Emmanuel Shoda ) government 20 April 1998
Major-General Lawrence Onoja, aide to General Diya, reportedly detained
without charge or trial
On 28 April 1998 the Nigerian Special Military Tribunal announced that it had sentenced
to death six defendants on trial on treason charges since 14 February 1998. They
include deputy head of state Lieutenant-General Oladipo Diya, and two other senior
members of the military government of General Sani Abacha which came to power in a
coup in November 1993. There is no right of appeal to a higher court; all convictions
and sentences have to be confirmed or disallowed by the Provisional Ruling Council,
the military government. Executions could therefore be imminent.
The accused were charged in connection with a coup plot which the government announced
that it had uncovered in December 199