In the final days of military rule under Sani Abacha, a quiet but powerful drama unfolded in Jos. It was a moment that revealed just how tense and uncertain the atmosphere within Nigeria’s military had become.
Lieutenant General Oladipo Diya, once a trusted second in command, found himself standing trial for allegedly plotting a coup against the very government he served. He was not alone. Five others were charged alongside him. They were taken to a military barracks in Jos where security was tight and movement was heavily restricted. During the proceedings, the accused were chained at the ankles, a clear reminder of the seriousness of the situation.
At the start of the trial, Diya made a statement that caught everyone’s attention. He insisted that he had been set up. According to him, the idea of a coup did not come from him but from General Ishaya Bamaiyi, a senior officer close to Abacha. It was a bold claim, one that pointed fingers at the inner circle of power. Not long after, the government ordered the trial to be held in secret because of how sensitive the allegations had become.
The tribunal was led by General Victor Malu, a respected officer and former commander of ECOMOG. In response to Diya’s defence, Malu made it clear that the court was less concerned about who started the alleged plot. What mattered, he said, was whether Diya had taken part in it at any point. Even so, he assured the accused that they would have a fair hearing and full access to whatever they needed to defend themselves. He emphasized that the tribunal would not allow any form of unfair trial.
Outside Nigeria, the trial did not go unnoticed. The government of South Africa raised concerns about the secrecy surrounding the case. There were warnings that carrying out the death sentences could lead to serious reactions both within Nigeria and from the international community.
Then events took an unexpected turn. After the sudden death of Abacha, power passed to Abdulsalami Abubakar. With a new leadership came a change in direction. The death sentences handed down to Diya and the others were reviewed and eventually reduced.
In the end, Diya was released from detention. However, his military career came to an abrupt end. He was dismissed from the army, stripped of his rank, and barred from using his title.
What began as a high stakes trial ended as one of the most talked about moments in Nigeria’s military history, a story shaped by power, suspicion, and the sudden turn of events.
Credit:North Book, Historical Nigeria-Yoruba,
