Thirty-seven Military officers dismissed by administration of late former head of states, Sani Abacha over phantom coup have dragged Nigerian Military to Senate.
The officers led by Colonel Adetunji Ajayi accused the Military for arresting them unjustly, tortured and convicted for the 1995 phantom coup plot saga.
It could be recalled that Some military officers were arrested under the administration of late Abacha for coup but, former Head of head of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar gave unconditional pardon to the affected officers.
Among them were General Obasanjo, late Shehu Musa Yar’adua, Colonel Olusegun Oloruntoba, Colonel Bello fadile.
In a petition submitted to the Senate for consideration which was presented by Senator Tayo Alasoadura , the officers demanded for justice over the matter.
The officers led by Colonel Ajayi sought intervention of Senate for promotion and compensation over the issue.
Speaking on the petition, Alasoadura said the officers are seeking for promotion and compensation especially following the gazetted unconditional pardon by the then head of states General Abdulsalami Abubakar on 4th Feb 1999 vide Federal Republic official Government gazette no 33 volume 23 of 16 may 1999.
The Senate has already referred the matter to Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges for further action.
Colonel Ajayi had said that the level of brutality and inhumanity he experienced during the period can better be imagined than experienced.
The Colonel maintained that he can never forget the trauma he passed through till the end of his life. In his own words: “Wounded souls do not vanish easily. I was punished for something I knew nothing about. I did not plan any coup, nobody told me he was planning one. It was all figment of the imagination of the schemers.”
