1. Easter!
Let's talk about the assassination of Dele Giwa. Never before heard account of his death.
Scattered accounts from fmr SSS Director Joe Obuseh (from my place), IBB's Autobiography, TV coverage and actual newspaper clippings from that time.
THREAD!
Let's talk about the assassination of Dele Giwa. Never before heard account of his death.
Scattered accounts from fmr SSS Director Joe Obuseh (from my place), IBB's Autobiography, TV coverage and actual newspaper clippings from that time.
THREAD!
2. Dele Giwa made his name through columns in the Daily Times and Sunday Concord (He was pioneer editor. Also owned by Abiola).
He co-founded News watch Magazine with Ray Ekpu, Yakubu Mohammed and Dan Agnese.
Newswatch with those big names became an instant success.
He co-founded News watch Magazine with Ray Ekpu, Yakubu Mohammed and Dan Agnese.
Newswatch with those big names became an instant success.
3. How did he die?
He received a letter bomb which killed him.
He received a letter bomb which killed him.
4. Three days before he received the letter bomb, the deputy director of the SSS (now DSS), Col. A.K. Togun invited him for a "chat"
He put forward 4 allegations to Dele Giwa.
First allegation was Newswatch publishing the circumstances of Ukiwe's sack (Remember my OIC thread)
He put forward 4 allegations to Dele Giwa.
First allegation was Newswatch publishing the circumstances of Ukiwe's sack (Remember my OIC thread)
5. Ukiwe was the highest ranking Igbo man in govt. The loss of his high profile job as number two man may have been seen as a blow to the Igbos.
It was thought Newswatch had damaging facts that would embarrass the govt. There was no way to know how the Igbos would react.
It was thought Newswatch had damaging facts that would embarrass the govt. There was no way to know how the Igbos would react.
6. 2nd allegation was that Dele Giwa planned to employ Alozie Ogugbuaja, a superintendent of Police and PRO of Lagos state Police Command, if the Police fired him.
Ogugbuaja, a honest Policeman testified before Justice Akanbi's panel set up by govt to probe student's riots
Ogugbuaja, a honest Policeman testified before Justice Akanbi's panel set up by govt to probe student's riots
7. He testified that Nigerian soldiers pre-occupied themselves with eating pepper soup and planning coups! 😂
FG felt insulted and suspended him from his job.
Dele Giwa called him and told him that if they fired him, Newswatch would hire him.
FG felt insulted and suspended him from his job.
Dele Giwa called him and told him that if they fired him, Newswatch would hire him.
8. SSS agents (Now DSS) found out this conversation. It is believed they bugged Giwa and Ogugbuaja's phones.
9. The 3rd allegation was Dele Giwa planned on meeting with NLC, ASUU and SUGs for purposes of destabilizing the govt and birthing a socialist revolution in the country.
10. The 4th allegation was that Giwa planned on importing arms.
Omo! Dele Giwa became afraid. If the SSS were accusing him of all these then he was no longer safe.
He immediately called Late Chief Tony Momoh, then minister of information and director of Military Intelligence...
Omo! Dele Giwa became afraid. If the SSS were accusing him of all these then he was no longer safe.
He immediately called Late Chief Tony Momoh, then minister of information and director of Military Intelligence...
11. Lt-Col Haliru Akilu (A very powerful man in govt)
Momoh downplayed it and told him "not to worry jare"
Giwa not assured wrote his lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi and asked him to take up the concerns of the SSS
Momoh downplayed it and told him "not to worry jare"
Giwa not assured wrote his lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi and asked him to take up the concerns of the SSS
12. On the morning he was killed, Giwa returned Akilu's call the night before.
Mrs. Giwa picked the call and he said "The ADC has something for him, an invitation or something like that".
Akilu later said he wanted the address because he hoped to stop by before heading to kano
Mrs. Giwa picked the call and he said "The ADC has something for him, an invitation or something like that".
Akilu later said he wanted the address because he hoped to stop by before heading to kano
13. Dele Giwa returned the call the next morning and he told Giwa not to worry. Giwa said he was worried and had infact briefed his lawyer.
Akilu told him it was not a matter for lawyers and it had been settled.
Akilu told him it was not a matter for lawyers and it had been settled.
14. Kayode Soyinka (The London bureau of Newswatch) came to his house on Talabi Street, Ikeja for breakfast.
His son, Billy delivered a parcel to him. He said two men in a peugeot saloon car gave it to Giwa's security man
His son, Billy delivered a parcel to him. He said two men in a peugeot saloon car gave it to Giwa's security man
15. The package bore the inscription, 'From the office of the C-in-C'.
Giwa smiled and said "Oh it must be from the President" and a loud bang was heard.
He died instantly.
Who did it? Nobody knows.
It remains unresolved till this day.
Giwa smiled and said "Oh it must be from the President" and a loud bang was heard.
He died instantly.
Who did it? Nobody knows.
It remains unresolved till this day.
16. Gani went through hell to arraign Akilu and Togun for murder.
The supreme court stalled, Attorney general stalled till it faded
V.P Aikhomu assembled all service chiefs to explain what they knew about his death and vowed no stone would be unturned.
No stone was turned.
The supreme court stalled, Attorney general stalled till it faded
V.P Aikhomu assembled all service chiefs to explain what they knew about his death and vowed no stone would be unturned.
No stone was turned.
17. Gani later took it to Oputa panel setup by Obj for human right abuse.
The panel recommended that FG reopened the case.
FG unlooked and ignored and that's how the matter died naturally.
THE END.
The panel recommended that FG reopened the case.
FG unlooked and ignored and that's how the matter died naturally.
THE END.
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