My Response to General Abdulsalami Abubakar, A Former Head of State, By Richard Akinnola

I have tremendous respect for former Head of State, General Abdulsami Abubakar (rtd), though l took him to court twice as Head of State.

In his recently launched autobiography, he claimed that Chief MKO Abiola died a natural death in detention. I disagreed with him, referencing the tea served him by his American visitors, which raised suspicions over the cause of death. Apart from that, l wondered why Abiola was not released same time Obasanjo was released on June 15, 1998, while Abiola died in detention three weeks after.

General Abubakar was interviewed by SUN newspaper, where he was asked about my position.

Question: Regarding Abiola’s death, a pro-democracy activist and journalist, Richard Akinnola, asked on Facebook: is it possible in any country, where international visitors would come to visit you and serve you tea or even food, without your domestic staff in attendance? He also asked, are you aware that science has so much advanced that someone could be poisoned without any trace in the victim’s body? What is your perspective on this?

Answer: Even in our domestic affairs, you get people to serve you, so I don’t understand his question. What is he saying?

Question: I think he meant that government staff ought to have been present when Abiola was being served the tea.

Answer: Even in our homes, when your staff bring in the drinks, they leave you to attend to the guests; they are not part and parcel of the discussion between you and your guests. Naturally, the stewards who brought the tea, after serving the tea, they go out to wait.

Question: So, it wasn’t the visitors who served Abiola the tea?

Answer: No, no, no, no.

Question: It was the State House staff?

Answer: Yes.

Question: In the presence of the international visitors?

Answer: That is right. Because the tea was being served to everybody, including the international visitors.

My response:

Is it ever done in anywhere that international visitors would serve tea to your detainee? It’s even incongruous that such international visitors came to visit your detainee and they were being served tea as if it were a normal office gesture.
ASP Theodore Zadok stated that as the Chief minder of Abiola, it was his routine and responsibility to taste any food and drink served Abiola.

So, can a visitor serve your most prized detainee tea?

As Zadok stated in his testimony before the Oputa panel, he was suddenly called by Major S. Aliyu, the CSO to Head of State, General Abubakar, to the office of the new Chief of General staff. According to Major Aliyu in his testimony, he summoned Zadok to come and open the office of the Chief of General staff, Admiral Mike Akhigbe who assumed office that day.
The question is – Was the opening of Akhigbe’s office a more urgent duty than staying with his detainee in the presence of high profile international visitors?

From what General Abubakar said in that interview, it was obvious either he wasn’t abreast with what really transpired at that meeting venue or he was just being economical with the truth, with due respect to him. He was emphatic that Abiola was not served with tea by the visitors but by his security details. This is at variance with the evidence of ASP Theodore Zadok, Abiola detail and Major S. Aliyu,the CSO to General Abubakar who stated in evidence that Susan Rice, a member of the American delegation, served Abiola the tea.

In his testimony at the Oputa panel, Major Aliyu said inter alia:

“When he started coughing and it became profusel, Susan Rice asked him if him if he would take water or something, he said he would take the tea that Susan Rice was drinking. At that time, l stood from where l sat and moved towards him with intention to serve him tea but Susan Rice being the only lady there offered to serve him the tea. She served him the tea and l was there standing over her because l also have an interest. I watched him when he served him the tea before l went back and sat down.”

Major S. Aliyu, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in his evidence, disclosed that Abiola was served the tea by Susan Rice, a member of the American delegation. He also stated under cross-examination that he was not sure if the tea, which was served from a flask, was tasted before it was served to Abiola. He however, could not remember if prior to that time, there was any instance when tea was served in a flask in the villa and could also not remember if foreigners were allowed to serve tea or food to a detainee.”

ASP Theodore Zadok, who was in charge of Abiola’s security testified at the Oputa panel on Thursday, July 19, 2001. He stated that even water he would give to Abiola in detention, he had to taste it in his presence, wondering how foreign visitors could serve the Chief tea in his absence.

He said inter alia: “The question is, who gave Chief M.K.O. Abiola tea in my absence? Who tested the tea before giving it to him and in whose presence was the tea tested? These questions are for the Chief Security Officer to General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Major Aliyu to answer.”

Now, from this testimony of of Zadok and his CSO, Aliyu, General Abubakar was wrong to claim that Abiola was not served tea by the foreign visitors but by domestic staff.

Major Aliyu confirmed that Susan Rice served Abiola the tea, contrary to what General Abubakar said in his SUN interview.

He also stated under cross-examination that he was not sure if the tea, which was served from a flask, was tasted before it was served to Abiola. He however, could not remember if prior to that time, there was any instance when tea was served in a flask in the villa and could also not remember if foreigners were allowed to serve tea or food to a detainee.

Like ASP Zadok queried in his testimony, who tasted the tea in the presence of Abiola before he was served as was the practice?

He elucidated during his cross-examination by Mr Femi Falana.

Falana: Would you agree with me that Abiola was with his senses throughout the duration of his detention to your knowledge?
Zadok: Yes my Lord.

Falana: Mr Twaddel. He also said that Abiola was given tea but that he (Twaddel) didn’t take it. Now the autopsy report prepared by the foreign doctors ‘After a few minutes in the meeting, he suddenly complained of illness. He was offered some tea which was poured by US embassy personnel.’ To your knowledge as a senior security officer, do you know of any situation in Nigeria, where a foreigner had given tea or food or water to any detainee?
Zadok: No, my Lord to the best of my knowledge. Anytime I’ve taken Abiola several times to Aguda House for an interview and anytime I got there, we have our personnel who are there in Aguda House. It’s their duty to prepare tea and they have to prepare this tea in my presence and once they taste it then it is my duty to taste it in front of Chief before I hand it over to him.

Falana: Would you agree that since Abiola was detained, this was the only occasion you did not taste the tea he was offered? Is that correct?
Zadok: It is very correct, my Lord. I used to buy water for Abiola. The whole water he drinks is Swan water. And there is never a time I just removed an unsealed bottled of
Swan water without opening it and tasting it in his presence before passing the rest to him for drinking.

Falana: Usually that is done by security men and women to prevent any harm to your subject. Is that correct?
Zadok: Yes, my Lord.

Falana: Now you were tricked. Would you agree with me that you were tricked to the Office of the Chief of General Staff so that you would not be around when the situation would occur, from the benefit of hindsight now.
Zadok: It may be so but I had that confidence that I was leaving him with somebody more senior than me.

Falana: You mean Major Aliyu.
Zadok: Yes, my lord.

Falana: Chief was arrested and detained for two days in Lagos, are you aware of that?
Zadok: Not aware, my lord.
Falana: From Gashua Prisons, he was brought to Abuja in a Black Maria where he was arraigned before a Federal High Court, are you aware of that?
Zadok: I am aware of his arraignment, but not aware of from where he was brought.
Falana: As a matter of fact, you took over his affairs in 1996?
Zadok: Yes, my lord

Falana: And for those two years, you were fully in charge of him?
Zadok: Yes, my lord.
Falana: Now officer, those documents you handed over to the government through Alhaji Kingibe, are you aware if those documents have been returned to the family?
Zadok: My Lord, I have a copy of the property here with me
Falana: Thank you very much.
Zadok: When I met Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe, in my presence he made a contact call with the wife of the late Chief, telling her of some of the property that were in the possession of Chief MKO Abiola that were now with him, and that he would like somebody to come forward and collect them.
Falana: Now, do you have the inventory as you call it.
Zadok: Yes, my lord.
Falana: (addressing Justice Oputa) Sir, we seek to tender the inventory.
Zadok: Why I handed them over to Alhaji Baba GanaKingibe was that, when the family of Chief MKO Abiola and the son came down to Abuja, I was told they were with him, so I believed they had a cordial relationship.

Falana: Between 1996 and 1998, that was the only time the family members were allowed to see Abiola, is that correct?

Zadok: Yes, my Lord.
Falana: Won’t you therefore agree with me that they were
allowed to see Abiola to bid him farewell? Zadok: Well, I wouldn’t say.

Falana: But that was the only time?
Zadok: I wouldn’t say so.
Falana: Now, if you wouldn’t say so, let’s look at this other scenario for this your subject. The head of the American delegation that met Abiola, Under Secretary Thomas Pickering…
Zadok: Yes, my lord.
Falana: He addressed a press conference in Abuja later that day, saying that Abiola died of natural causes, are you aware of this?
Zadok: I am not aware, my Lord

Falana: Are you also aware that before the so-called autopsy was carried out, the US President, Bill Clinton, said that he was sending a condolence message to Nigeria and to the family of Abiola because Abiola died of natural causes, are you aware of that.
Zadok: I’m aware of it, my Lord.
Falana: You have been following the proceedings before this August Commission, particularly with respect to Abiola’s case?

Zadok: Yes, my Lord.
Falana: You know in Lagos, Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Sabo gave evidence to the effect that on the very day the Late General Sani Abacha died, that General Bamaiyi in Aso Rock said, now that Abacha is dead, can’t we also kill Abiola in the same manner to balance the equation?
Zadok: I heard it, my Lord.

Falana: When you later learned that Chief MKO Abiola died in those circumstances, won’t you agree with me that he was killed from all the circumstances?
Zadok: My Lord, that very particular time that this incident happened, in fact, I was not myself because as Abiola said, I was holding him as a father.
Falana: And he took you like a son?
Zadok: Yes, and he took me like a son… I want to tell you one story today. Major Aliyu informed me that the same seventh day of July, by 4’0’clock.
Falana: 1998?
Zadok: 1998, that I should make arrangements for a plane to move Abiola to Lagos and that he would be free. So that is why I told you that I was not myself when I discovered that Abiola was dead on the same day.

Falana: Officer, that plane eventually carried Abiola’s dead body to Lagos
Zadok: Yes, my Lord.
Falana: Is that your answer? What was carried to Lagos was Abiola’s dead body.
Zadok: But not the same day because Abiola was kept like two weeks before his dead body was taken away.

Falana: Taken to Lagos…. Now, you said you had to send message to Aso Rock to fetch Doctor Wali, that is from Akinola Aguda House. Didn’t you have radio or walkie talkie?
Zadok: My Lord, I didn’t know why the Chief Security Officer had to do that because he was in possession of cellular, and Dr.Sadiq Wali was also in the possession of a cellular and a telephone on his table at the Aso Clinic. So, why he decided to send a driver and vehicle to pick him, he is to answer the question, my Lord.

Falana: Now, while this rigmarolling was going on, going to Aso Rock Clinic to bring the doctor, Abiola was reeling in pains on the floor?
Zadok: Yes, my Lord…

Falana: Finally, officer, don’t you agree with me that the car, your own car, was left behind for the purpose of using it to convey Abiola to Aso Rock clinic?
Zadok: My Lord….
Falana: Because it was tinted.
Zadok: Yes, my Lord. At any given time, I have a security vehicle on the ground because of any eventuality. So, I wouldn’t have even liked to use my vehicle to see Admiral Akhigbe because I have a BG (body guard) who is behind and whom I can pass the same instruction to.
Falana: Now, this other one you said. Who ordered the
stoppage of the feeding allowance for Abiola?
Zadok: I wouldn’t say a particular person ordered it. As I said in my statement, I do collect this quarterly, and at the end of June, I expected another quarter to materialize.
Falana: Yes, first week of July. But because Abiola was going to die on the 7th of July, it was no longer necessary.
Zadok: I think so, my Lord.
Falana: Thank you sir.

(At this stage, General Bamaiyi’s lawyer, Yakubu Maikyau took over the cross-examination of ASP Zadok.)

Maikyau: You said General Bamaiyi visted Abiola before he died.
Zadok: Yes, he visited Chief Abiola before he died and I said so.
Maikyau: Did he come alone or was in the company of the Service Chiefs or he came alone?
Zadok: I can’t remember very well but I think he came in company of the Service chiefs.
Maikyau: How was Abiola’s feeling after his meeting with Anyaoku?
Zadok: Abiola was happy with the meeting with Anyaoku as they embraced and took photographs.
Maikyau: Was General Bamaiyi with the American delegates when they visited?

Zadok: General Bamaiyi was not around when the American delegation visited.
Maikyau: Was General Bamiayi in Aguda House when Chief Abiola died?
Zadok: No, he was not around.
Maikyau: In other words, would you be surprised if you are told that General Bamaiyi was not in the delegation of the Service Chiefs when they visited Chief Abiola?
Zadok: No.
Maikyau: Are you aware that Chief Abiola wrote General Bamaiyi while in detention?
Zadok: Yes.
Maikyau: Do you know the content of the letter?
Zadok: The letters were sealed before they were given to me, so I don’t know the content.
(Maikyau tried to tender a copy of the letter Chief Abiola wrote to General Bamaiyi but the Commission said it had it in its possession)
Chief Clement Akpamgbo( Major Mustapha’s counsel) cross-examining Zadok.
Akpamgbo: Did Mustapha ever stop Chief Abiola’s feeding allowance?
Zadok: Major Mustapha never stopped the feeding allowance of Chief Abiola.

Akpamgbo: Who removed the bodyguards you were working with?
Zadok: The new CSO, Major Aliyu removed the bodyguards.
Akpamgbo: Was Chief Abiola’s movement out of his former detention for his safety?
Zadok: Yes, Chief Abiola’s movement out of his former detention Centre was for his safety.

(At this stage, Ouma Shitien, counsel to Gen.Sabo, cross- examined Zadok)
Shittien: Were you always in the room when these meetings you referred to were held?
Zadok: Yes, I was always in the room but my seat was far from where they discussed.
Shittien: Did you ever hear Chief Abiola say anything about his mandate?
Zadok: In the meeting between Chief Abiola and Admiral Akhigbe, he repeatedly said he will never abandon his mandate.
Shittien: You said that Chief Abiola wrote some letters. Cast your mind back to the one dated 2/7/98 and tell us what you know about it.
Zadok: The letter dated 2/7/98 is where he regretted about the roles played by General Abacha and Yar’ Adua to betray him. It also contained request for approval of condolence letter to Mrs. Maryam Abacha.

Shittien: What was his reponse after these meetings he had with the Service Chiefs?
Zadok: Anytime a meeting is held with Abiola, I don’t usually ask him the outcome but inside the car on our way, he will start by laughing and say look at these small boys.

Shittien: Did you ask Major Aliyu in whose care you left Chief Abiola if necessary precaution were taken like another person tasting the tea before giving it to him?
Zadok: Since Major Aliyu was the overall security officer, I did not have the guts to ask him if all precaution were taken. Major Aliyu should be called to explain.
Shittien: You said Kola Abiola visited with other members of the family before Chief Abiola died. So what was his state of health?
Zadok: Kola Abiola came with his sisters and one step- mother. Abiola started preaching to them from the Bible and the wife said, Bishop, we are not here for preaching but to know your problems. They discussed well.

Shittien: You said Chief Abiola was detained at various safe houses?
Zadok: Yes, he was detained at Apo, Asokoro, Wuse and Kado. We had different detention Centres. On the last days, we moved under heavy arms.
Shittien: You said Chief Abiola used to write notes.
Zadok: Yes, he used to write notes in plain papers and in the open place which is the part of the Bible. He used to ask me to photostat his letters.

Shittien: And you handed over these things to the family?
Zadok: When I handed over the documents to Kingibe, there were none of those documents removed.

Falana: My Lord, I ask this Commission to protect witness ( Zadok) by directing the IG (Inspector-General of Police) to protect him. I also pray that this Commission should bring Abdulsalami Abubakar and his CSO, Major S. Aliyu should assist this commission by coming here to explain how Abiola died.”

Dear General Abubakar, this is my response to your interview in the SUN.
Regarding the aspects you said Abacha did not steal, but that he only saved Nigeria money abroad in his name, l don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Wishing you a Happy Father’s Day, Sir.