Richard Akinnola Accuses Ibrahim Babangida of Misrepresenting Facts Surrounding Dele Giwa’s Assassination

On February 24, 2025, Richard Akinnola, a prominent journalist, lawyer, and Executive Director of the Centre for Free Speech Organisation, publicly challenged former Nigerian Military President General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) over his claims regarding the 1986 assassination of Dele Giwa, the founding Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch magazine. In a statement titled "Dele Giwa: IBB Lied," Akinnola accused Babangida of engaging in deliberate historical revisionism and misrepresenting key facts about the unresolved murder, which remains one of Nigeria’s most infamous political crimes.

Background of Dele Giwa’s Murder

Dele Giwa was killed on October 19, 1986, in his Lagos residence when he opened a parcel bomb delivered to his home. The explosive device, reportedly marked with official government insignia, detonated as Giwa sat at his breakfast table with Kayode Soyinka, Newswatch’s London Bureau Chief. The blast killed Giwa instantly, leaving Soyinka injured but alive. This gruesome assassination, carried out during Babangida’s military regime (1985–1993), marked the first known use of a parcel bomb in Nigeria and sent shockwaves through the nation’s media and political landscape.

Giwa, a fearless journalist known for his investigative reporting and critiques of the government, had co-founded Newswatch magazine in 1984 with colleagues Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, and Yakubu Mohammed. His death remains unsolved, with fingers often pointed at Babangida’s administration due to the timing and circumstances surrounding the murder. Over the decades, Babangida has consistently denied any involvement, a stance he reiterated in his recently launched autobiography, A Journey in Service, unveiled in Abuja in February 2025.

Akinnola’s Critique of Babangida’s Claims

Richard Akinnola’s rebuttal focuses on what he describes as two significant falsehoods in Babangida’s book concerning the investigation into Giwa’s death. Akinnola argues that Babangida’s denial of involvement, while expected, does not grant him the liberty to distort historical facts. “I can understand the denial of General Ibrahim Babangida of his innocence over the murder of Dele Giwa. It is expected. Have you seen an armed robbery suspect charged to court pleading guilty in court? It’s a matter of self-preservation,” Akinnola stated, drawing a parallel to Major Gideon Orkar, who pleaded not guilty despite leading a failed coup against Babangida in 1990.

Akinnola’s primary contention centers on Babangida’s assertion that no new evidence emerged during the Oputa Panel, a human rights investigation commission established under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s civilian administration in 1999. In his book, Babangida wrote, “When the Obasanjo civilian administration reopened the Giwa case at the Oputa Panel on Human and Civil Rights, I expected that the police and lawyers would come forward with new evidence as to their findings on the Giwa murder over the years. Nothing of such happened.” Akinnola refutes this claim, asserting that Babangida’s refusal to appear before the panel undermines his narrative.

According to Akinnola, significant testimonies were presented during the Oputa Panel hearings. Notably, retired Commissioner of Police Abubakar Tsav testified under oath that his investigation into Giwa’s murder pointed directly to Babangida’s government. Tsav reportedly submitted his findings to then-Deputy Inspector General of Police Chris Omeben, contradicting Babangida’s claim of no new evidence. Additionally, Akinnola highlights that the panel raised the issue of Gloria Okon, a mysterious figure whose disappearance has long been linked to Babangida’s regime, further challenging the former leader’s account.

The Question of Friendship

Another point of contention is Babangida’s portrayal of Giwa as a “good friend.” In A Journey in Service, Babangida describes Giwa as a close acquaintance with whom he shared a cordial relationship, claiming the journalist’s death was a personal loss. Akinnola dismisses this assertion as disingenuous, questioning the authenticity of their supposed friendship. “It is even deceitful to be referring to Dele as your good friend. From where to where? If you could execute your childhood friend, Mamman Vatsa, who then is Dele Giwa, who you only met in the course of his official duties as a journalist? Dele Giwa was not your friend, General,” Akinnola wrote.

This reference to Mamman Vatsa, a childhood friend and military officer executed in 1986 for allegedly plotting a coup against Babangida, underscores Akinnola’s skepticism. He argues that Babangida’s willingness to eliminate a lifelong friend casts doubt on his claims of affection for Giwa, whom he met only professionally.

Broader Implications and Public Reaction

Akinnola’s statement has reignited public discourse about Giwa’s assassination and Babangida’s legacy. The launch of A Journey in Service has already stirred controversy, with critics accusing Babangida of attempting to sanitize his tenure, which was marked by human rights abuses, economic turmoil, and the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election won by Moshood Abiola. Giwa’s murder, in particular, remains a symbol of the dangers faced by journalists under military rule, and Akinnola’s rebuttal amplifies calls for accountability.

On social media platforms like X, reactions have been mixed. Some users commend Akinnola for challenging Babangida’s narrative, while others question whether the truth about Giwa’s death will ever be fully uncovered. The lack of conclusive evidence and the passage of nearly four decades have fueled skepticism, yet the case continues to resonate as a litmus test for justice and press freedom in Nigeria.

Conclusion

For readers searching for terms like “Dele Giwa assassination,” “Babangida controversy,” or “Richard Akinnola IBB,” this article provides a detailed examination of the ongoing debate. Akinnola’s accusations against Babangida underscore the unresolved questions surrounding Giwa’s death and the former leader’s role in it. By highlighting discrepancies in Babangida’s account—particularly regarding the Oputa Panel and his alleged friendship with Giwa—Akinnola challenges the narrative presented in A Journey in Service.

As Nigeria reflects on its history, the controversy surrounding Giwa’s assassination remains a poignant reminder of the need for transparency and accountability. Whether Babangida’s denials hold up against the evidence cited by Akinnola and others, the quest for justice in Giwa’s case persists. For now, Akinnola’s bold statement ensures that the conversation—and the demand for truth—continues unabated. Stay tuned for further developments as this decades-old mystery unfolds.