Why Obasanjo kept me in jail for 8 years - Bamaiyi
- In the book: 'Vindication of A General', which was recently published by Ishaya Bamaiyi, the former military officer spoke about how he was jailed
- He said Chief Obasanjo got the advice to have him jailed from former head of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar
Nigeria’s former Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lt Gen Ishaya Bamaiyi, has revealed why ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo kept him in jail for eight years.
Legit.ng reports that Bamaiyi, who served under later former military dictator, Sani Abacha, recently released a book: ‘Vindication of A General’, which touched on his experience. He also revealed many controversial issues that have become subjects of debates across the country.
In Chapter 10, page 128 of his book, he said Obasanjo was scared of being overthrown despite ruling in a democratic setting and that this was the primary reason he was kept in jail for that long.
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According to Bamaiyi, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), who took over after the death of Abacha and handed over to Obasanjo in 1999, asked the latter to handle him well if he does not want his government overthrown.
He said as a result of Abubakar’s advice to Obasanjo, the then National Security Adviser, General Aliyu Gusau ensured that he was kept in jail.
Bamaiyi said: “As soon as Obasanjo took over, General Abubakar and some of his people told Obasanjo that if I were left free, I would overthrow Gen. Obasanjo’s government.
“This did not surprise me because while we were in service, General Abubakar set up a secret investigation of certain people during the Abacha rule. I had not been told although some soldiers in the army, like Sgt Rogers, were invited for investigation.
“When I had to replace my security officer, I asked for Cap. Najaja to replace Capt Bature, who was assigned to the USA. Gen Abubakar said Najaja was being investigated. He realized his mistake and kept quiet. I did not bother myself about the investigation because I knew I was not involved in any criminal act.
“Abubakar’s committee completed its assignment and gave clean bills to all those questioned. When Obasanjo took over, some PDP big shots decided that based on the report, I had control of the Army and should be arrested. The government looked for avenues to arrest me.”
He continued: “They started by checking Army accounts to see if I had stolen money. They spoke to the Director of Army Finance and Accounts, DAFA, Maj Gen Omosebi who told them he had never worked with an officer who believed in accountability like I did. They felt disappointed.
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“The government wanted to take my personal house in Asokoro. The NSA, Gen Gusau talked to Mr Daboul, a friend of mine who had built the house for me. He told General Gusau of our agreement that I would pay for the house over 10 years. This saved my house.
“When everything failed, Obasanjo and his government decided to revisit their investigation. Col JB Yakubu and Capt Najaja were forced to implicate me. This gave the government the opportunity to start looking for me. I was following everything that was happening.”
Meanwhile, Legit.ng recently sampled the opinions of Nigerians concerning the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Watch the video:
Source: Legit.ng
