Journalist Babafemi Ojudu reveals how a clandestine meeting arranged by Bola Tinubu in exile led to the exposure of General Sani Abacha’s vast corruption Threats recordings and stakes in the struggle for truth under military rule .
General Sani “Abacha” ruled Nigeria from 1993 until his death in 1998 His regime is remembered for widespread human rights abuses and massive corruption Among those who risked their lives to expose his illicit accumulation of wealth was Babafemi Ojudu a fearless journalist who later became a politician In recent interviews Ojudu shared how he and others uncovered evidence of Abacha’s financial crimes The story that stands out the most is about a secret recording arranged by Bola Ahmed Tinubu during their time in exile A daring move that brought to light the extent of the looting and the dangers of speaking truth to power .
Background
Sani Abacha was a “military dictator who took power in 1993 and remained in office until 1998 His name has become synonymous with corruption as he was accused of siphoning billions of dollars from Nigeria into foreign accounts The scandal later became one of the largest cases of state looting in Africa .
Babafemi Ojudu on the other hand was an investigative journalist who built his career exposing the injustices of military regimes He was known for his bold reporting and unrelenting criticism of Abacha’s rule His commitment to truth put him on the frontline of a very dangerous battle .
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was then in exile also played a critical role According to Ojudu Tinubu created the opportunity for evidence gathering that would later help in exposing Abacha’s massive thefts He not only facilitated secret meetings but also used strategy and caution to document what many feared to talk about .
The Secret Recording Incident
The Meeting
During their time in exile Tinubu arranged for Ojudu to meet a Jewish lawyer who was believed to have deep knowledge of Abacha’s stolen wealth The lawyer had been close to deals that revealed how money was moved out of Nigeria He was said to know the names of accomplices and the channels through which Abacha’s loot was hidden abroad .
The Challenge of Documentation
Documenting such sensitive information was a challenge Taking notes openly could have put everyone at risk Both men therefore had to rely heavily on memory to recall the revelations shared by the lawyer Among the names mentioned were powerful business figures including the Chagoury brothers whose connections to Abacha were significant .
The Secret Tape
Unknown to the lawyer Tinubu carried with him a tape recorder carefully hidden from view When the first side of the tape was full Tinubu excused himself pretending to go to the bathroom In order to avoid suspicion he flipped the tape over while flushing the toilet to mask the sound of the device The strategy worked and the conversation was secretly preserved without the lawyer realizing .
Publication and Danger
After the meeting Ojudu took possession of the recording The material was explosive as it exposed details of Abacha’s secret dealings Tinubu warned him saying Femi if you publish it you are dead But Ojudu felt the Nigerian people needed to know the truth Despite the risk he went ahead and published the revelations According to Ojudu the story shook Abacha and caused serious unease within the regime .
Uncertainties and the Kano Story
There have been claims that Ojudu was once sent to Kano to investigate Abacha’s background and that when he began to reveal what he discovered Abacha was informed However this specific account remains unclear While Ojudu has often spoken about threats and warnings he faced there is no verified record of him using those exact words It may be a paraphrase or a recollection from another related incident .
Implications and Significance
The episode highlights the courage it took to confront authoritarian rule in Nigeria It was not only journalism but also activism a combination that carried life threatening consequences The secret recording and its eventual publication showed that even under repression truth could find a way out .
It also underlined the international dimensions of corruption Abacha’s loot was not hidden in isolation but through global networks involving lawyers businessmen and foreign institutions Exposing such crimes required collaboration across borders and bravery from those willing to put themselves at risk .
Above all this story reflects the weakness of state institutions under dictatorship When leaders misuse power and suppress accountability it often falls on individuals like Ojudu and Tinubu to act with extraordinary courage to protect the future of their nation .
Conclusion
The pursuit of truth in the face of oppression often depends on individuals willing to risk everything For Babafemi Ojudu and Bola Tinubu the secret recording episode became a defining moment in the struggle against Abacha’s corruption While the story of Ojudu being sent to Kano remains uncertain what is clear is that their actions exposed the dark dealings of one of Nigeria’s most corrupt leaders Their bravery continues to stand as an example of how strategy determination and courage can make a difference even in the harshest of times .