Former military president General Ibrahim Babangida has firmly denied any involvement in the assassination of veteran journalist and former Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch, Dele Giwa.
Giwa, known for his outspoken criticism of Babangida’s military regime, was killed by a parcel bomb in his Ikeja, Lagos home on October 19, 1986. Just two days prior, a senior official from the Directorate of Military Intelligence had accused Giwa of illegally importing weapons to incite a socialist revolution in Nigeria. Following this alarming accusation, Giwa immediately consulted his lawyer.
The next day, Colonel Halilu Akilu, a security chief, reassured Giwa that the allegations were based on a misunderstanding and cleared the matter up. However, a few hours later, a parcel, marked with the seal of the Presidency and inscribed “To be opened by addressee only,” was delivered to Giwa. His son, Billy, handed the parcel to his father while Giwa was dining with a visiting colleague.
In his recently released autobiography, “A Journey in Service,” unveiled in Abuja, Babangida dismissed the longstanding belief of his involvement in Giwa’s murder, expressing hope that the truth will ultimately be revealed. He criticized the media’s role in the investigation, stating, “The hysteria of the media did not help the investigation of the Giwa murder.” He emphasized that the adversarial relationship between the media and the government has persisted since colonial times, often leading to a presumption of guilt.
Babangida remarked, “When the Obasanjo civilian administration reopened the Giwa case at the Oputa Panel, I expected new evidence would emerge, but that did not occur. The mystery of Giwa’s murder remains unresolved even after many years. I hope it will be unveiled in our lifetime.”
The presentation of Babangida’s autobiography coincided with the launch of his presidential library. The event was attended by prominent figures, including President Bola Tinubu, former presidents, military leaders, and influential business personalities. Keynote speeches were delivered by notable past presidents from Ghana and Sierra Leone, adding significance to the occasion, which also drew governors, technocrats, and traditional rulers.
