Victor Malu Military Tribunal

Victor Malu Military Tribunal is a seven man special military tribunal (SMT) commissioned by the administration of general Sani Abacha in the year 1997, headed by general Victor Malu, to investigate roles played by soldiers and civilians in the coup plot to overthrow general Abacha’s regime. The SMT was located in Jos Plateau, Plateau state Nigeria.^[1]

Overview

On the 21st December, 1997, general Sanni Abacha constituted a SMT to carry out investigation into the allegation surrounding the alleged coup plot against his government. The plotters include former Deputy Head of State, Lieutenant Oladipo Diya, Major General Tunji Olanrewaju, Major General Abdulkareem Adisa, Daniel Akintonde, Edwin Jando, Peters Alinyode, Emmanuel Shode, Major Olusegun Fadipe, and Diya's political advisor, professor Femi Odekunle. The investigation started on the 14th February 1998.^[2]

Allegation of the coup plot

Eight top military officers led by former Deputy Head of State, Lieutenant General Oladipo Diya were arrested for plotting coup to topple the government of general Abacha. As a result of this scenario, the federal government of Nigeria (FGN) led by general Abacha commissioned a panel of a seven(7) military officers headed by general Malu.^[3]

Outcome of the Special Military Tribunal

The SMT charged general Diya , five other soldiers and a civilian for treason. They were to be executed by firing squad^[4] Among the accomplice, four were sentenced to life imprisonment and the remaining three to stand 2–14 years behind bar.^[5]

Reaction to the judgement

The judgment of death sentences issued by the SMT headed by general Malu attracted reactions from within and outside the country. Adisa Bakare, father of general Abdulkareem told journalist that “I beg General Sani Abacha to spare the lives of my son and others In related development, the human right community led by National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) through Abraham Adesanya said “We are not convinced that they committed the offence for which they were found guilty,” added Adesanya. “Judging by the past record of this government, with regards to Ken Saro Wiwa and others, it is a waste of time to plead. But God is higher than everybody.”. Also, the Christian Association of Nigeria appealed to the government to spear the life of the convicts”.^[6]

References

1. "Nigeria:there was a coup,Malu confirm at Oputa Panel". All Africa. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
2. Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada. "Nigeria: The December 1997 coup plot and its aftermath". Immigration and Refugee Board Canada. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
3. "secret, Nigeria tribunal condemn 6 to death". The New Yorks Times. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
4. "6 Get Death Penalty for Plotting Ouster of Nigerian Leader". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
5. "Death penalty for alleged coup plotters". BBC News. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
6. Remi Oyo. "Nigeria chorus of appeals follows condemnations". Inter Press Agency. Retrieved 7 February 2016.