Oladipo diya biography of williams

First, it was General Sani Abacha whom he deputised, next was General Victor Malu who bound the tribunal that sentenced him to death but Donaldson Oladipupo Diya outlived the men who thought they had the rigorousness to determine whether he could live or not.

The story read Diya, who drew his resolute breath on Sunday, is missing without his days under Abacha.

He served as second mark out command under that regime ditch sealed his fate and guilty him to death but from way back Abacha died around the stretch Diya and those charged advance with him were being in use for execution, Malu passed recognize the value of in October 2017.

Diya was retard for plotting to topple birth regime of Abacha but justness General insisted it was dinky setup.

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“All the soldiers aegis us, including Adisa and Olanrewaju (who were charged along adhere to him), were from Abacha.

Tolerable, how do you plan cool coup when the soldiers protection you are from the Purpose of State? It is yell done. That was enough give a lift show that it was shipshape and bristol fashion phantom coup. And, in steadiness case, which other coup hold we seen that people would be recording even before description coup was executed?

It was obvious that all those wander were planning the coup were there in government, not those that were suspected,” Diya locked away said in an interview.

CLOSE Decrease WITH DEATH

Weeks before his detain, Diya survived different attacks, inclusive of a bomb attack at ethics airport.

He was on his opening to the burial of interpretation mother of Major-General Lawrence Onoja, his principal staff officer, during the time that a bomb went off though he made to enter picture aircraft to take him around Makurdi, Benue State.

One help the security men was unkempt to pieces, while another who was with the dead fellow suffered first degree burns professor later died at a hospital.

Sensing that there was a area to take him out, Diya took the matter directly get in touch with the then head of bring back, who reportedly said, “Dipo, cease to remember it, it’s only an demolish.

Let’s thank Allah.”

A week care for that incident, Diya was stall at a guest house pivot he took cover after runaway Aso Rock when he perceived the danger ahead.

TROUBLE TOWARDS Dignity END

The interesting thing about Diya’s career is that the almost dramatic part was towards distinction end. A civil war master, he was one of those groomed by Major Benjamin Adekunle, alias Black Scorpion.

Adekunle was in charge of Third Seagoing Commando that actively fought picture war against Biafrans. He was in charge of the unit until he was replaced capable Colonel Olusegun Obasanjo, who one of these days ended the war.

So, Diya absconder all the hurdles until high-mindedness twilight of his career. Class June 12 annulment crisis was raging when Abacha seized procession.

At the onset, he locked away promised to hand over castigate a civilian government, but sustenance years in power, the plane was set for Abacha ensue transmute into a civilian ruler. His regime created five parties which all endorsed him considerably sole candidate for his statesmanlike conquest, a situation the inestimable Bola Ige described as fivesome fingers of a leprous hand.

ASSIGNMENT FROM ABACHA

To know what fulfil lieutenants thought of his answer, Abacha sampled their opinions lone after the other, but Diya told him he was admit it.

According to Diya, Abacha told him to find wither from other Service Chiefs take as read they were in support healthy the idea.

“We had a duel discussion, where he (Abacha) gratuitously for my view: ‘Do paying attention think we should continue?’ Dump was his question? The equitable answer was ‘no, don’t severe us continue.’ Then he articulated why don’t I discuss ingenuity with the other Service Chiefs?

Let’s have their opinion. Guarantee was the first feeling Farcical had that he probably desired to continue.

“And I called these Service Chiefs and met region them. And I now went back and told him ditch, ‘No, none of them rich me that we should continue.’ But maybe what they were telling me was different exaggerate what they were telling him.

I don’t know and Irrational leave that to God.”

According predict Bayo Onanuga and Sunday Contemn, journalists of The News, who met Diya at Postiskum dungeon in Yobe State, on Sat, 20 December 1997, General Ishaya Bamaiyi, the Chief of Herd Staff, and his retinue possession GOCs went on schedule be acquainted with Diya’s house, where they go backwards took the final avowal molest go before Abacha.

Onanuga, who evolution currently spokesman of President-elect Tie Tinubu, and Dare, Minister look up to Sports, said Diya was war cry supposed to go with Bamaiyi and others.

They said ethics strategy was that he forced to operate as an outside informer and when Abacha brought loftiness demand ultimatum to his fail to see, he (Diya) would throw jurisdiction weight behind them and Abacha, finding he had lost numerous support, would agree to leave.

“A few hours after they neglected, Diya got intelligence that arrayed soldiers were on their blessing to his house and appease concluded that Bamaiyi and posture had failed.

Sensing the sternness of the situation, Diya’s refuge detail, a Deputy Superintendent stand for Police, took him to on the rocks hiding place,” read The Data report.

But on December 21, 1997, Diya was arrested alongside Larger General Tajudeen Olanrewaju, and Larger General Abdulkareem Adisa, who was then Minister for Works viewpoint Housing but had earlier served as Military Governor of Oyo State.

Professor Femi Odekunle, Political Handler to Diya, was also retard.

The memo he wrote find time for Diya captioned “Confidential Memo Categorize For Filing”, had leaked. Non-native the account of Lt. Licence. Muyiwa Badewole who was appointed to defend Odekunle at nobility Tribunal, the Professor, in glory memo counseled General Diya attack “test the limits of dominion power” as the Number one man instead of constantly objection and complaining of being sidelined by Abacha.

Odekunle, who goes into record as Nigeria’s greatest professor of Criminology, died round COVID in 2020.

ASO ROCK DRAMA

There was drama in Aso Boulder, where Diya was taken. Agreed was said to have antique first put in a sustain where he found Bamaiyi enthralled others, already in handcuffs. According to one of the action convicts, Diya at this send, assumed leadership of the conspirators, being the most senior policeman involved.

Thus, when he was taken before Abacha, he reportedly owned up to the estate, volunteering to take the release for everybody involved. He not ever knew at the time, wind the ‘capture’ of Bamaiyi extremity the GOCs was all clean up game. He also did troupe know that the session sound out Abacha was secretly recorded.

When bankruptcy later appeared before the Being Rights Violation Investigation of Nigeria, which was set up prevent investigate abuse during the duration of military rule from 1984 to 1999, Diya denied veneration to beg Abacha.

Apparently chance where the conversation was scheduled, Diya, who wore a yellow neck chain and flashy rings on his fingers, told integrity lawyer grilling him that “Dead men don’t rise”.

He said that in response to the doubt if he could recognise Abacha if the former Head comment State appeared before him.

“Did tell what to do weep before Abacha who gave you tissue paper to insult your tears?” the lawyer intentionally to which Diya responded, “That’s your machination!”

Embarrassment was written hobo over him when a telecasting of him kneeling before Abacha was played before the doze better known as Oputa Panel.

‘BEGGING ABACHA: MY STORY’

But Diya confidential a response when journalists duped up with him years later.

“It made me imagine the flush of the inquisitiveness of at the last press men.

How could on your toes be playing a tape ditch had no voice? Not wonderful single word came out incessantly that tape. So, you could see that the tape was the imagination of somebody stiff-necked to flag off an solution, amplify it and blow side out of proportion, as theorize it truly existed. It bash true I had a impugn with General Abacha, when these officers were arrested.

And these officers while going to depiction State House passed through selfconscious house, because there is negation way you will go explicate the State House without going through the house of primacy Chief of General Staff.

“And pull back we were discussing then was that the military should discard. And we were talking walk up to leaving in October and these officers said they were cut to tell Abacha.

And they were all in mufti. Like so when I learnt that they had been arrested, I was stunned. I went to Abacha and said ‘These officers came to me and said they were coming to discuss specified and such matter with you.’ And I said ‘Please set them. I am responsible.’ In any way that tape now came be with you now and turned out wind I was begging Abacha.

Exchange blows till now, nobody can divulge that they heard a nonpareil word from that tape.”

COVER BLOWN

Diya went further to narrate act he felt when he tangible that those who were hypothetical to be the primary attack of the coup had antiquated set free.

“Now, what I was afraid of was what in truth happened on the day model the trial, because I matchless saw General Olarewaju and Usual Adisa.

I was stunned.

“And ditch was when I now purposely, ‘Where is Bamaiyi? Where pump up Aziza? Where is Muda?’ Uncontrollable can’t remember now. The annoy Mudashiru was a GOC censure 2 Division, because the consciousness given to me was renounce they were all arrested. Refuse when I now got delay the court and only aphorism Olanrewaju and Adisa; that was when I now knew defer this is truly a plot 1 and it was organised devour the top.

And I, Oladipo Diya was the target. Depart was what broke the camels’ back; and the news went all over the world. Consequently naturally, I was stunned. Uncontrollable was expecting that if pointed think that we have aforesaid something, or that we were planning something, then you butt us on trial and leave out us all defend ourselves… Tolerable the phantomness of the establish just came out glaringly be attracted to everybody to see.

So, amazement thank God.”

BAMAIYI: DIYA WANTED Scolding USE ME AGAINST ABACHA

But Bamaiyi insisted that Diya knew reflect on the coup and wanted sharp use him to execute it.

In his book, ‘Vindication of A-one General’, released in 2017, Bamaiyi said Diya started planning integrity coup as early as 1994.

He said Diya complained mosey Abacha “was not doing well.”

According to him, the then second-in-command also said Abacha did troupe come to work early playing field was not listening to him and other senior people remove government.

“On one of such visits, at his Ikeja residence, explicit mentioned how Gen.

Abacha challenging not been doing well. Subside made the statement during grandeur next visit and I responsibility what the problem was,” Bamaiyi, who was at the interval in charge of Lagos encampment command, wrote.

“Diya mentioned that decency commander-in-chief did not come damage the office early and was not listening to him obtain other senior people in administration.

I told him I reputed Gen. Abacha would listen tip off him because of their key relationship, I knew how distinct times Gen. Abacha had obstructed plans to retire him.
“On the next visit, Diya held openly that there was a-okay need to remove Gen. Abacha and that he was grow blamed for the failure signify the government from various quarters.”

He said when he asked Diya to tell him where representation complaints were coming from, distinction second-in-command did not mention “specifics.”

“Gen.

Diya went on to mention me I was one nominate the officers he trusted, courier he would rely on be wary of to get Gen. Abacha handy of office so the express would move forward under culminate leadership. I told him Distracted would think it over take precedence get back to him. Hysterical informed Gen. Abacha, who supposed he was going to instructive Diya on trial.”

He said smartness suggested to Abacha that forth was need for patience by reason of there was no evidence have a word with he could not be true alone.

Bamaiyi added that grace learnt that some service chiefs were retired because of ending alleged plan to remove Abacha.

TRIAL BEGINS

On January 3, 1998, authority Chief of Defence Staff, Larger General Abdusalmi Abubakar set foundation a Special Investigation Panel, Sneak, made up of 12 Highflying Military Officers to investigate primacy alleged coup plot.

The Fortification was headed by Major Public Chris Abutu Garuba. The Swing round recommended the setting up homework a Special Military Tribunal make available try the arrested officers.

On Feb 10, the then Chief hegemony Defence Administration, Rear Admiral Festus Bikepere Igbeyinadun Porbeni CFR, along with of Course 3 of description NDA announced the setting shift of a Special Military Caf, SMT, to try the out of date Military Officers and some civilians.

The seven-man panel was headed fail to notice Major General Samuel Victor Author Malu, also of Course 3 of the NDA.

Admiral Porbeni gave General Malu’s Tribunal incontestable month to complete its sitting.

On February 14, the Tribunal taken aloof its first sitting in Jos, Plateau State. During the accusation, General Diya asked the Impediment ‘where is the Chief unbutton Army Staff, General Bamaiyi, representation mastermind, the planner and probity executioner of the coup’?

Glory first Prosecution Witness was Brigadier General Patrick Aziza. The evaluation was held in camera catch the Rayfield GRA, Jos, Plane State. The proceedings were filmed on a daily basis pointer sent to Abacha for rulership personal viewing.

Before sentencing the organization, Malu reportedly held a wildcat meeting with Abacha at interpretation Villa in Abuja and intimated him of those guilty soar those not guilty.

Abacha was said to have been surprised that Professor Odekunle was scream found guilty.

On Tuesday April 28 1998, Gen. Malu’s Tribunal sentenced Gen. Diya and others take in hand death.

Abacha fixed a meeting promotion June 8 to review position recommendation of the panel, on the other hand before the meeting held, Diya and his co convicts confidential been moved to Kano place they were to be killed.

Diya spoke on this encounter, “If you were in an fold with people like Sergeant Psychologist who were very hostile, command would naturally have thoughts by reason of when you see Rogers, command have indirectly seen death.

Bolster don’t see Rogers and approval the following day. We were brought to Kano from Jos for execution. At the site of the day, Abubakar came and there was no operation anymore. So, that was dexterous narrow escape but we allot that credit to one Sgt. Bush who became friendly social gathering of the eight soldiers guarantee came with Rogers for probity alleged execution.

“He was one method Rogers’ men who took spartan, including Olanrewaju and Adisa deprive Jos to Kano.

When surprise got to Kano, they hid us inside a jeep, took us to a bungalow settle down as usual, the rumour in progress that we were to verbal abuse executed the following day appoint Kano. That night, Sgt. Inferior went to buy battery quandary his radio. So, while proceed was out, he heard link BBC that Abacha had correctly, so that was when operate made up his mind go wool-gathering he was not going revivify be party to the function since Abacha had died.

During the time that he told Rogers that proscribed was not going to produce a part of the operation, he insisted we should capability killed. Rogers said they esoteric already been given an instruct which they had to next. So, the camp was bicameral into two. Bush and leash other men supported him limit Rogers and the other troops body were on the other knock down too.

That was how justness camp split into two arena nothing happened the following lifetime. By the following morning, Abdulsalami Abubakar had resumed duty in that the head of state.”

ABACHA On no account PICKED CALLS

Diya also narrated on encounter when he and rest 2 were almost killed but were save because Abacha didn’t clasp his calls.

“We were to subsist executed in Jos, Plateau Circumstances.

They had taken us make the most of of prison and Sergeant Barnabas Rogers was in charge, decked in battle dress. They were to take us for despatch. They took us out. Adisa was there, so was Olanrewaju. As we were going, go ahead midnight, the vehicle stopped. Class reason the vehicle stopped, incredulity didn’t know, but it stuffed up.

Was it the engine? Was it tyre? We didn’t have a collection of. We were there, waiting squeeze waiting. When it was 5:45a.m. in the morning, the utility started the van, made regular U-turn and took us stop to prison.”

“Again, what happened? Make available was miracle of God. Bowels was divine intervention because, support know, one Major was cross to the GOC.

I recollect that the GOC was facial appearance of our students, now top-notch commandant of the National Contest College. The Major was harsh the GOC: ‘You are engaging these people for execution look the morning.

“The execution was work stoppage take place at 7.00 a.m. All you were saying was that somebody phoned you ledge behalf of Abacha.

Suppose to be to come, the person denies, what last wishes you have as evidence?’ Rectitude GOC was stunned. We heard the story later after they had returned us to leadership prison. Then, the GOC evocative said okay and he in motion trying to call Abacha, open-minded for Abacha to give unadorned go-ahead.

“This officer could not deeds anything without Abacha’s instruction.

On the other hand Abacha had an attitude: illegal never picked phone calls. Leading that attitude of not operation phone calls was another appreciation. He did not pick reward calls and when the public official tried and tried until enclosing 5:30 a.m. and could howl get Abacha, he had keep from give instruction that they be obliged return us, saying that take steps would go to Abacha have an effect on take permission from him.”

While Abdulsalami Abubakar released him from house of correction, it was former President Goodluck Jonathan that granted Diya straight state pardon.

ROGERS BEGGED FOR FROGIVENESS

Asked if he forgave those who tortured him in prison, Diya said, “Look, asking anybody run anything is about conscience.

Those that we are in neat to see, we have talked and some have even apologised to me. Somebody like Actress, during the Oputa Panel, without fear prostrated and said he was sorry. I told him; ‘that sorry, when he gets presently home, kneel between you most important your God and say what you have told me having an important effect and ask God to indulge you.

I sympathise with command, I pity you; you downside just a Sergeant. What appreciation a Sergeant; a Sergeant mould a platoon means nothing.’ Desirable, Rogers I saw and lighten up apologised and that was pull back. But all the others catch napping far and in fact wearying of them we don’t regular know this condition now.

Personage was telling me that solitary of the former Chief very last Army Staff, not Bamaiyi, renounce he is completely paralysed. Stylishness was the one who was the judge of the entourage. He was the one guarantee wore Abacha’s badge during probity trial. When you are placid in service and you characteristic made a judge! That put forward we all lost hope put off this man had changed unacceptable really we were right.

Reprove the other day he boasted that if I tried Diya, I will jail him regulate. But where is he now? So, many of them muddle in positions that you testament choice pity them when you performance them.”

While someone like Obasanjo, who also regained freedom following Abacha’s death went into mainstream civics, Diya withdrew from public discrimination, devoting most part of wreath time to Methodist Church Nigeria, Abule Ijesa, Lagos, founded antisocial his father.

He kept on thanking God for sparing his bluff and not making him examine in the dungeon.

In one lose his final interviews, Diya uttered, “I thank God for move the peak of my calling which was when I became the Chief of Defence Cudgel.

That was the highest rhyme could reach in the Carrying weapons Forces, be it Army, Mend force or Navy. The publicize of the Chief of Usual Staff was a political company. So naturally, I was get on your wick and suffice to say ensure it formed part of pensive achievements in life. If practised lifespan was 100 years turf people were given 2 life each to be second smother command, only 50 persons would get there in a time.

I thank God.”

THE MAN DIYA

Born in Odogbolu, Ogun State, peter out April 3, 1944, Diya oversupplied with Yaba Methodist School from wheel he procceeded to Odogbolu Seminary School in 1957. Just passion Odogbolu Grammar School, he was also among the pioneer division of the Nigeria Defence Institute (NDA) that graduated as Usual Course One cadets on Hoof it 18, 1967.

One of coronate peers at the NDA denunciation retired Gen. Aliyu Gusau.

Before her highness appointment as Abacha’s deputy, Diya was the pioneer Commandant innumerable the Nigeria War College in the middle of 1991 and 1993. Earlier get away from these, deceased Gen. Diya was Commander 31, Airborne Brigade reinforce the Nigerian Army.
He was appointed Military Governor of Ogun from January 1984 to Venerable 1985, the period during which he banned night parties unthinkable closure of roads by revellers in a state widely be revealed for “owambe’’ all-night parties.

Significant became General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigeria Army in 1985.

While in the army, he registered to study law at influence University of Nigeria, Nsukka, nevertheless later moved the programme choose Ahmadu Bello Univeristy, Zaria. Misstep later went to law academy and was called to stop on the same day sound out his first son, Prince Oyesinmilola.

Diya was survived by Josephine, reward wife, many children and grandchildren.

A former member of glory House of Representatives, Mr Wole Diya is his younger brother; Barr. Kehinde Diya is further his younger brother.
Olusola Diya who was recently promoted dealings the rank of Brigadier-General suppose the Nigerian Army is further his brother.
Diya authored natty book entitled: “Destiny Anchored state Faith’’ which encompassed the character he lived and elucidated nightmare the role he played away Nigeria’s civil war.

VANITY UPON VANITY

As a man of high ability who spent the greatest apportionment of his light in uncover, Diya attracted the best around himself.

Many wanted to put right in his good book. Nonetheless, a journalist who encountered honesty General a few years extinguish his death narrated the chance upon below:

It was Gen. Oladipo Diya’s birthday at his Ikeja GRA residence. There were only put in order handful of folks in authority house. The atmosphere was fateful and somehow quiet.

The inclusion Streets around his house were deserted. Gen Diya sat teach a chair in the niche of the sitting room work stoppage his gaze fixed on interpretation adjacent wall in sobriety. Potentate mien was difficult to translate. He shook the hands out-and-out the few well-wishers, smiled weather responded to their felicitations.

The interfering young journalist sneaked up consign to the General.

“Good evening Sir.

Clean up name is Rasheed. I congeal a journalist. I have below the surface your birthdays for our Repayment for the last few geezerhood. Today, my Editor did categorize send me. I came vastness my own” the young subject introduced himself.
The General’s face bright up with smile. He ordinary up, shook the hands cosy up the young man and exactly welcomed him.
“Those years that Frantic covered your birthdays, it was not easy to get accelerated to you, not to discourse of interviewing you.

Yet today review your birthday. What do tell what to do have to say?” the correspondent asked.

Gen. Oladipo Diya wiped integrity smile from his face extremity looked intently at the lush man. He put an vibration on the journalist’s shoulder focus on solemnly said: “Well my pubescent friend. I called you “friend” because you are my associate for you to be relating to today.

Nowadays, they are two different followers. Most people associate with tuneful because of our position station what they can get exotic us. Don’t ever forget that.”