The Executive Director of the Centre for Free Speech Organisation, Mr. Richard Akinnola, has accused former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd), of distorting facts surrounding the 1986 assassination of Dele Giwa, the founding Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch.
In a statement titled “Dele Giwa: IBB Lied”, Akinnola criticized Babangida’s recent claims of innocence, comparing his denials to common courtroom defenses. “Have you seen an armed robbery suspect pleading guilty in court? It’s a matter of self-preservation,” he stated.
Akinnola challenged assertions made in Babangida’s memoir, particularly the claim that no new evidence was presented during the Oputa Panel’s investigation into Giwa’s murder. “That’s false,” Akinnola said, pointing out that former Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Tsav, testified under oath that his investigation implicated Babangida’s government.
He also highlighted Babangida’s refusal to appear before the Oputa Panel, undermining the former leader’s call for transparency. Akinnola further criticized Babangida’s portrayal of Giwa as a “good friend,” questioning the sincerity of such claims. “If you could execute your childhood friend, Mamman Vatsa, who then is Dele Giwa, whom you only knew professionally?” he asked.
Akinnola concluded by suggesting that either Babangida’s ghostwriters misrepresented facts or the former leader was intentionally misleading the public.
Comments