Nigeria: Update to NGA29334.E on the December 1997 coup plot; current status of those involved; and whether others are still sought

Please note that the spelling of names of those involved can vary according to the source and the type of transliteration. The exact number of individuals implicated in the alleged coup plot varies among the sources. What follows is a listing of individuals named in various media reports and their current status if reported.

Of those referred to in NGA29334.E as receiving death sentences, three - General Oladip Diya, General Abdukarrem Adisa and General Tajudeen Olanrewalu - had their sentences commuted to 25 years and the other three - Lt. Colonel O. Akiyode, Major Olusegun Fadipe and Adebola Adebanjo - had theirs commuted to 20 years by the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC) in July 1998 (AFP 10 July 1998; Post Express 11 July 1998).

On 20 July 1998 AFP quoted reports from the newspaper National Concord that General Adisa's health was poor, that he was suffering from hypertension and that doctors were trying to save his life. According to the National Concord he had been transferred to Maiduguri prison where doctors would keep watch on his health (ibid.). Post Express also reported General Adisa's move to Maiduguri Maximum Prison and quoted a warder on guard as saying he looked "emaciated" (21 July 1998).

On 19 September 1998 Post Express said there were "strong indications" that General Diya, and others imprisoned for their alleged participation in the December 1997 coup, could soon be released. Africa Research Bulletin also speculated on the prisoners' release, referring to a press conference by General Abubakar on 7 September 1998 in which he indicated that "the government was taking another look at the conviction of Diya and others" (19 Oct. 1998).  However, Post Express reported on 2 October 1998 that "speculation had peaked" on the release of those imprisoned, since they were not mentioned in a broadcast from General Abubakar despite "expectations of a possible amnesty."

The jail sentences of other persons convicted for participating in the alleged coup plot were also reduced by the PRC in July 1998: Colonel Yakuba Bako, from ten to two years; Colonel I.E. Yakassai, from fourteen to eight years; Major B. Mohammed, from fourteen to eight years; Lance Corporal Galadima Tanko, from two years to dismissal from service; Isaiah Adebowale, from life to ten years; Ojeniyi Ademola, from two years to one year; Muktar Maidabino, from five to two years; Niran Malaolu, from life to fifteen years; and, Soile Shoide, from life to ten years (Post Express 11 July 1998; Radio Nigeria 10 July 1998). Post Express stated that Colonel Edwin Jando's life sentence was reduced to ten years (11 July 1998), while Radio Nigeria stated that the reduction was to fifteen years (10 July 1998).

On 28 September 1998, the Canadian Committee to Protect Journalists called for the release of Niran Malaolu, the editor of the Diet newspapers, while on 1 November 1998 Vanguard quoted his wife as saying he was going blind. She said that during a 25 October 1998 visit to Katsina prison she found him in a condition with "puss and water constantly gushing out of his eyes" and claimed that doctors had previously refused him the required treatment for typhoid fever. She also said that prison officials had not allowed him to be moved for treatment, or allowed eye specialists to come to him (ibid.).

On 25 April 1998, before the end of the trial, Post Express reported that the following persons had been investigated and cleared of involvement in the alleged coup plot and had been released during the previous week: Colonel Emmanuel Shoda, Colonel Daniel Akintode, Colonel T.E.C. Chiefe, Group Captain A. Andre, Major Kayode Keshinro, Major J.R. Apulu, Corporal Bassey Effiong, Corporal Israel Wowo, Corporal Haruna Mohammed, Corporal Nuru Sani, Guardsman Abdul Danjuma, Alhaji Danladi Ilusamatu, Alhaji Mustapha Garba, Violet Uche Idoko, Abayomi Yakubu, and Dele Obakoya. In June 1998, Post Express stated that Colonel Akintonde had returned to his post at the Nigerian Defence Academy (15 June 1998).

On 11 July 1998 Post Express indicated that the PRC had upheld the acquittals of the following persons: Lt. Commander E.A. Soetan, Sergeant Major Coker Oladisun, Staff Sergeant Moses Eni, Corporal I. Kontagora, Corporal Eddy Egbunu, Bawa Maccido, Mr. Owatimehin, Halima Bawa, Chief Yomi Tokoya, Ibrahim Musa Oga and Professor Femi Odekunle.

In October 1998, Chief Yomi Tokoya filed suit against the Nigerian government with regard to his detention from 15 January 1998 to 15 July 1998 for alleged involvement in the coup plot (P.M. News 30 Oct. 1998). He is seeking N10 million in compensation for confiscated property and damages to his property and reputation. He is also working for the release of those still held and called for a widening of the terms of reference of a board of inquiry looking into "the looters of coup victim's properties." He demanded that those who carried out the "arrest, torture and detention" of the alleged coup participants, including General Ishaya Bamaiyi, Chief of Army Staff Ismaila Gwarzo and Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, should be called to testify at this inquiry headed by Rear Admiral Mike Ahigbe (ibid.).

The only reference the Research Directorate could find as to whether the government is still seeking persons in relation to the alleged December 1997 coup plot, comes from references to the arrest of a Colonel Kemi [Olukemi] Peters at the Lagos airport in September 1998, "when he tried to sneak into the country from his hide-out in Europe." P.M. News reported that he had fled the country in December 1997 upon hearing of arrests of persons for participating in the alleged coup, but returned believing it was safe with General Abubakar as president. P.M. News also stated that he had been charged with being Absent Without Official Leave.

No information could be found on the present conditions or whereabouts of the following persons, all of whom were reported arrested: Peters Alinyode (Africa Confidential 9 Jan. 1998), Colonel Femi Peters (Africa Research Bulletin 29 Jan. 1998), Major Isyaku Yusuf (Africa Confidential 9 Jan. 1998), Major Yusul Isyaku of the Abuja artillery unit [Major K.A. Isufu Ishako, O.C. commander, artillery detachment Abuja; Major Isyaku Yusuf, staffer in General Diya's office; Major Yusuf Isiaku; Major Yusuf Isyaku] (Africa Research Bulletin 20 Mar. 1998; Africa Research Bulletin 29 Jan. 1998; Africa Confidential 9 Jan. 1998; Post Express 25 Apr. 1998; AFP 14 Feb. 1998), and Eliyasu Mohammed (Africa Research Bulletin 20 Mar. 1998; Post Express 25 Apr. 1998). An AFP reporter attended the 14 February 1998 opening of the trial and stated that the latter two persons were among the 26 persons who were present and charged with treason (14 Feb. 1998).

On 19 September 1998 Post Express reported that military persons who had watched the home of General Diya since the alleged coup had been removed from the area.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Africa Confidential [London]. 9 January 1998. Vol. 39, No. 1. "Nigeria: Rotters or Plotters?"

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. 19 October 1998. Vol. 35, No. 9. "Nigeria: Imminent Release?"

_____. 20 March 1998. Vol. 35, No. 2. "Nigeria: Coup Trial Opens."

_____. 29 January 1998. Vol. 34, No. 12. "Nigeria: Diya Arrested."

Agence France Presse (AFP). 20 July 1998. "Un militaire emprisonné est 'dans un état de santé effrayant." LISTSERV: [email protected]

_____. 10 July 1998. "Le Nigeria dresse une liste de tous les prisonniers politiques."

_____. 14 February 1998. "Nigeria's Alleged December Conspirators." (NEXIS)

Amnesty International. 6 May 1998. "Nigeria; A Smokescreen for Six Facing Execution After Secret Trials?" (Africa News Service/NEXIS)

Canadian Committee to Protect Journalists (CCPJ)/International Freedom of Exchange (IFEX). 28 September 1998. "CCPJ Continues to Call for Malaolu's Release." [Internet] [Accessed 2 Oct. 1998]

P.M. News [Lagos]. David Odey. 30 October 1998. "Nigeria; Coup Victim Seeks Compensation." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 28 October 1998. Tunji Wusu. "Nigeria; Coup Suspect Arrested." (Africa News/NEXIS)

Post Express [Lagos]. 2 October 1998. Joke Kujenya. "No Reprieve Yet for Diya, Others." [Internet] [Accessed 20 Nov. 1998]

_____. 19 September 1998. Sola Ogundipe and Angela Ahunanya. "FG Relaxes Security at Diya's House." [Internet] [Accessed 20 Nov. 1998]

_____. 21 July 1998. Mato Adamu. "Adisa Moved to Maiduguri Prison." [Internet] [Accessed 20 Nov. 1998]

_____. 11 July 1998. Josiah Emerole, Tom Chiahemen, Abuja and Chris Omozokpia. "PRC Commutes Sentences on Coup Plotters." [Internet] [Accessed 20 Nov. 1998]

_____. 15 June 1998. Chidi Aja. ""Diya's ADC, Akintonde, Others Get New Postings." [Internet] [Accessed 20 Nov. 1998]

_____. 25 April 1998. Sisaa Agboh. "Tribunal Rules on Diya, Others Today." [Internet] [Accessed 20 Nov. 1998]

_____. 14 February 1998. "The Chicken Has Come to Roast." [Internet] [Accessed 20 Nov. 1998]

Radio Nigeria [Lagos]. 10 July 1998. "Military Rulers Commute Coup Plot Death Sentences." (BBC Summary 11 July 1998/NEXIS)

Vanguard [Lagos]. 1 November 1998. Kenneth Ehigiator. "Malaolu Going Blind, Says Wife." [Internet] [Accessed 12 November 1998]