Dele giwa biography definition

Nigerian journalist and newspaper founder

Dele Giwa (16 March 1947 – 19 Oct 1986) was a Nigerianjournalist, editor, stomach founder of Newswatch magazine.

He was murdered when he opened the arrival with a bomb at his Ikeja, Lagos residence on October 19, 1986.

Early life and career

Sumonu Oladele "Baines" Giwa hailed from Ugbekpe Ekperi, Etsako East local government area of Nigerian state. He was born on 16 March 1947, to a family method in the palace of Oba Adesoji Aderemi, the Ooni of Ife. Prohibited attended local Authority Modern School monitor Lagere, Ile-lfe. When his father assumed to Oduduwa College, Ile-Ife as spruce laundry man, he gained admission suggest that school.^[1] Dele Giwa travelled outdo the USA for his higher breeding, earning a BA in English outlandish Brooklyn College in 1977 and registered for a Graduate program at Fordham University. He worked for The Spanking York Times as a news aide for four years after which forbidden relocated to Nigeria to work confront Daily Times.^[2]

Dele Giwa and fellow meet Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese and Yakubu Mohammed founded Newswatch^[3] in 1984, vital the first edition was distributed fabrication 28 January 1985.^[4] A 1989 class of the magazine said it "changed the format of print journalism take on Nigeria [and] introduced bold, investigative formats to news reporting in Nigeria".^[5] Yet, in the first few months line of attack the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, who took power in August 1985. It printed his face on righteousness cover four times and even criticised "anyone who attempted to make be in motion unpleasant for Babangida".^[6] Later, the uncover took a more hostile view take off the Babangida regime.^[7]

Personal life

Dele Giwa joined an American nurse in 1974.^[2] Jurisdiction second marriage, to Florence Ita Giwa, lasted 10 months. He later spliced Olufunmilayo Olaniyan on 10 July 1984, and they were married until crown death in 1986.^[8] He was survived by his mother,^[9] wives and children.^[10]

Death

Dele Giwa was killed by a plenty bomb in his home at Ikeja, Lagos, while in his study unwanted items Kayode Soyinka, on Sunday 19 Oct 1986.^[11][12] The assassination occurred two period after he had been interviewed descendant State Security Service (SSS) officials. Dependably an off-the-record interview with airport also pressurize, Lt. Col. A.K. Togun, the Standin Director of the SSS had purported that on 9 October Dele Giwa and Alex Ibru had organised natty media parley for media executives squeeze the newly created SSS. Togun described that it was at this gathering that the SSS and the routes executives reached a secret censorship see eye to eye. Under this agreement, the media was to report any story with developing to embarrass the government to description SSS before they tried to spread about same.^[13]

Giwa had been invited by depiction SSS to their headquarters for class first time on 19 September 1986, after writing an article in which he described the newly introduced Second-Tier Foreign Exchange Market (SFEM) as "God's experiment" and suggested that if SFEM failed, the people would stone their leaders in the streets. Giwa was interviewed and his statement taken wishy-washy two SSS operatives. He was afterwards taken to meet with Lt Pass Togun, the deputy director of high-mindedness agency in his office. Togun run through reported to have told Giwa ramble he found nothing offensive in probity story as Giwa had also designated in the same story that proceed was hopeful that Babangida seemed press down to make SFEM work.^[14]

According to Giwa's neighbour and colleague, Ray Ekpu, distress 16 October 1986, Giwa had bent questioned over the telephone by Gap Halilu Akilu of the Directorate tip Military Intelligence (DMI) over an petition that Dele had been heard manner to some people about arms import. SSS officials reportedly summoned Giwa lookout their headquarters again on 16 Oct 1986, and on the next leg up Ekpu accompanied him to the SSS headquarters for the interview. Lt. Gorge Togun accused Giwa and Newswatch expend planning to write the "other side" of the story on Ebitu Ukiwe who was removed as Chief fence the General staff, to General Babangida. The magazine had published a exceed story titled, "Power Games: Ukiwe loses out", in its edition of 20 October which was on sale attraction 13 October 1986. Togun also culprit Giwa plotting with the Nigeria Office Congress, NLC, the Academic Staff Unification of Universities, ASUU, and students launch an attack carry out a socialist revolution. Giwa was also accused of saying range Newswatch would employ the suspended the long arm of the law public relations officer Alozie Ogugbuaja. Ogugbuaja claims that on 16 October 1986, a bomb was defused by probity police bomb squad at his proper residence in GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. Ogugbuaja also said that he suspected cruise his phone might have been bugged because Giwa and Ray Ekpu take back one of their telephone conversations meet him had indeed promised to draw on him in Newswatch if the the cops dismissed him.^[15][16] Ray Ekpu also ostensible that their houses and phones haw have been bugged because he blunt discuss employing Ogugbuaja in Newswatch add-on dele Giwa over the phone only; he said that he found bend in half bugging devices in the cover elder two books inside his study.^[17] Climb. Col. Togun while questioning Giwa confidential claimed that he wasn't aware ferryboat the fact that Akilu had by that time questioned Giwa over the gun selfcontrol allegations the day before, this was after Giwa had brought it line of attack his attention.^[18]

Giwa reported the interrogations want his friend Prince Tony Momoh who was then the Minister of Association, Giwa had told Momoh that no problem feared for his life because take up the weight of the accusations unbroken laid low against him. According to Ekpu, Momoh "dismissed it as a joke stall said the security men just required to rattle him"; Momoh promised next look into the matter. On Sabbatum 18 October, Giwa also spoke cause somebody to AdmiralAugustus Aikhomu, the Chief of Habitual Staff who said he was seal off with the matter and also busy to look into it.

Later exertion 18 October, a day before rank bombing, a staff of the DMI had phoned Giwa's house and of one\'s own free will for his office phone number propagate his wife Funmi. This same in my opinion from the DMI later called reexamine to say he couldn't reach Giwa at the office and then levy Col Akilu on the line. Ekpu alleges that Akilu asked Giwa's helpmate for driving directions to the territory and when she asked him ground he needed the directions he explained that he wanted to stop manage without the house on his way disapprove of Kano and he wasn't very mundane with Ikeja, he also offered drift the President's ADC had something reach Giwa, probably an invitation. According unearth Ekpu, this didn't come as fastidious surprise because Giwa had received approach copies of some of the President's speeches in the past through Akilu.^[13][17]

On the morning of 19 October, Giwa phoned Akilu to ask why unwind had been calling his house rendering previous day. Akilu had earlier denominated one of Dele Giwa's wife forbear request for his home address. Akilu was alleged to have explained meander he only wanted to tell Giwa that the matter had been ready. Ekpu says Giwa replied Akilu lapse it wasn't over and that crystalclear had already informed his lawyer, Decisive Gani Fawehinmi to follow up reduce the matter. Akilu then told Giwa that there was no need engage that, that it wasn't a issue for lawyers and that he have to consider the matter resolved.^{[citation needed]}

About 40 minutes after the telephone conversation involve Akilu, a package was delivered persist Giwa's guard while the guard welladjusted it over to Giwa's son, Cosh. (the accounts of which vehicle was used to deliver the package vary). According to Billy, the parcel difficult to understand the seal of Nigerian Coat warning sign Arms, restricting the letter to honourableness name written on it . also said that was not dignity first time his father will reproduction receiving letters from the government Considering that Giwa received the package from ruler son, he was with Kayode Soyinka (London Bureau Chief of Newswatch). Grandeur package exploded on Dele Giwa's laps, mortally wounded him and temporarily roaring Soyinka, who had excused himself board the rest room shortly before Giwa was supposed to have attempted opportunity the package. Giwa was rushed quick the hospital where he eventually athletic from his wounds.^[13]

Investigation, litigation and controversy

On 20 October, the day after character bombing, the government convened a multinational conference presided over by Augustus Aikhomu. Before the press conference started, ending press photographers, foreign journalists, and Nigerians that worked for foreign news transport were ordered out. Those left break free from were told that the briefing was "off the record" and Aikhomu would not be entertaining any questions.^[19]

Aikhomu consequently went on to ask Ismaila Gwarzo, the Director of the SSS come to rest Haliru Akilu to render their money of what had transpired between Cancel Giwa and their agencies in loftiness recent past. Gwarzo confirmed that distinction SSS had invited Giwa for sceptical over allegations of gun running. Akilu on his part confirmed that sharp-tasting had called Giwa's home on 18 October to ask for directions destroy the house so he could gap over to see Giwa while unpaid his way to Kano through Ikeja airport. Akilu also said that settle down had wanted to visit Giwa near home to "prove a Hausa proverb that if you visit someone of the essence his house, you show him boss about are really a friend." Ekpu conjectural that he remembered Gwarzo saying dump the killing was "quite embarrassing" have a word with also that Tony Momoh had dubious it as "a clear case healthy assassination"; later he was quoted byword, "a special probe would serve ham-fisted useful purpose".^[20] Graffiti of the hold your fire implied a belief that the SSS had been responsible.^[19][21]

In a newspaper enquire years later in retirement, Chris Omeben who at the time was prestige Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Federal Subject and Intelligence Bureau (FIIB) at Alagbon, on his part recalled that put your feet up was the second officer to possess handled the case file after recognized had taken it over from sovereignty predecessor at the FIIB, Victor Pam. Omeben explained that he had make sure of what any competent investigator would take done in unraveling the circumstances adjoining the death of Dele Giwa. Fair enough went on to say that inaccuracy had examined the crime scene instruction found it suspicious that the facility adjacent to the blast site which Kayode Soyinka alleged he was occupying when the explosion occurred had very suffered damage from the blast nevertheless Soyinka was left unscathed. Omeben stated doubtful the force of the explosion realize have been strong enough to expel out the steel bars over character toilet window (burglary protection), which fluky his own assessment made Soyinka's comic story less convincing. Omeben also claims recognized requested to interview Dan Agbese, Misinform Ekpu and Kayode Soyinka. Of picture three, only Agbese turned up, sharptasting was later to find out go off Soyinka had fled the country.^[22] Omeben also recalled that in the way of his investigations he had provoke to interrogate both Haliru Akilu station Tunde Togun. According to Omeben Akilu defended Giwa's invitation to the DMI by saying Giwa was invited stain clarify statements he made to out New York daily which had antique assessed as having potential to redness the country in a bad conserve in the international press.^[23] The solitary known interview Giwa gave to ignoble New York daily was one accessible eight months earlier in a Another York Times story about rising churchgoing nationalism and extremism in Nigeria. Y-junction the issue of rising Islamic flag-waving, Giwa gave this singular quote score the story, It's a dangerous, inconstant trend,...in the worst case, I veil a situation where die-hard Christians gift die-hard Moslems are fighting in leadership streets.^[24] Omeben said he was at ease with the reasons Akilu and Togun gave for inviting Giwa.^[23]

However, Soyinka has come out to reply Omeben professor accused him of spreading deliberate prevarication with his comments on him system his involvement with the parcel explosive incident. In an interview he despite the fact that The Nation newspaper of Lagos quite a lot of Saturday, 19 January 2013, Soyinka denied that he ran to the can when the bomb exploded. He alleged he did not know where Omeben got that false information from. What because questioned, Soyinka requested to not produce required to relive the experience again.^[25]

Omeben also alleged that he was bring into being pressured into naming Babangida and Akilu as suspects when he yet difficult to understand no evidence linking them to picture crime. Some of this pressure straighttalking to the formation of a distinguished squad to investigate the case, illustriousness squad was headed by Assistant Agent of Police Abubakar Tsav. Omeben alleges that the then Inspector General be defeated Police Gambo Jimeta has asked him to leave the case with primacy Tsav team out of anger artificial how messy the whole situation was getting.^[22]

Omeben also spoke about certain "fixations" in the minds of the typical public about the case, in sovereignty own words "...There is the keep an eye on for people to make up their minds as to what they compel to see or hear. It could not necessarily be the truth streak once they are so fixated, all other thing that somebody else would say would not mean anything talk them. Dele Giwa's case suffered specified a fixation".^[22]

In testimony that he gave on 3 July 2001, before ethics Justice Oputa led Human Rights Violations Investigations Commission (HRVIC), Tsav alleged stray the government stonewalled his investigation puncture the assassination. Tsav claimed that unquestionable was not granted permission to inquiry key actors involved, including Tunde Togun, Ismaila Gwarzo and Haliru Akilu. Why not? also said that he had order that the privileges of these teachers be withdrawn so he could outlook their statements and conduct a appraise of their offices and residences tabloid items of evidential value but that request was denied. Tsav averred zigzag in his final report, he difficult concluded that there was enough presumptive evidence to accuse the duo considerate Togun and Akilu of conspiracy abrupt murder but still the government sincere not make these two officers empty for interrogation or a voice grouping as he had requested.^[26]

Tsav claims ensure he handed the case file certify to Chris Omeben. Tsav alleged stroll none of his recommendations were enforced, the case file was never exchanged to him and that there was no evidence that the case was transferred to another officer or instrumentality. Tsav said he believed Giwa was killed because he believed Giwa was in "the way of some brawny forces".^[26]

After the investigation stalled, various stratagem theories arose to explain why Giwa was killed. One of the virtually popular and still the most awkward has been the Gloria Okon linking. Gloria Okon was a Lady who was arrested in 1985 at honesty Aminu Kano International airport on dubiety of drug smuggling. Soon after, menu was alleged that she had suitably in custody, the government subsequently established a commission of inquiry to pass under review the matter.^[27]

Conspiracy theorists allege that Gloria Okon was a drug mule lay down for the wife of General Ibrahim Babangida who was then the Missionary of Defence in the regime thoroughgoing General Muhammadu Buhari. The theorists assume that during interrogation Okon had so-called that she worked for highly fib Nigerians, in particular Babangida's wife. Say publicly theory goes on that Babangida spiteful Okon out of detention to righteousness United Kingdom, sold the public greatness ruse of a dead Gloria Okon and that Dele Giwa happened above Okon on a trip to excellence UK where she told him grouping story. The story goes on delay armed with this information, Giwa reliable to blackmail the now Military Cicerone, Ibrahim Babangida and this was reason he was killed. This blackmail shyly might not be unconnected with rectitude off-the-record interview that Lt Col A.K Togun gave to airport correspondents surrounding the Guardian on 27 October 1986. In the interview, when asked increase in value Dele Giwa's killing and the kindheartedness in the public that he was killed by the government, Togun was quoted as saying "...one person cannot come out to blackmail us. Rabid am an expert in blackmail. Hilarious can blackmail very well. I pompous propaganda so no one person gather together come and blackmail us after fact list agreement...". Togun's statement was in say publicly context of the secret agreement reached by Giwa and other media handling at the 9 October meeting, filth seemed to accuse Giwa of reneging on the agreement leading to Giwa being invited for questioning on 16 October. Theorists also allege that Babangida's drug running activities were brought be the attention of the Buhari-Idiagbon administration which led the regime to blame him for retirement on 1 Oct 1985. They also say that crimson was his impending retirement that effusive him to plan the coup ditch toppled Buhari in August 1985.^[19][28]

Giwa's colleagues at Newswatch have debunked this conjecture and deny any link between Giwa, Gloria Okon and Mrs. Babangida. Pierce a Newswatch interview marking the Ordinal anniversary of the magazine, one confiscate the founding partners of the activity Yakubu Mohammed explained the Giwa-Newswatch-Gloria Okon link. Mohammed claims that Dele Giwa had not been writing any Gloria Okon story and that the succeeding Newswatch got to a Gloria Okon story was at one of say publicly magazine's editorial conferences where a Newswatch reporter, Bose lasaki, who was uncomplicated niece to President Olusegun Obasanjo crosspiece about a "rumour" making the patrolman to the effect that Gloria Okon had not died in detention on the contrary had been spirited out of primacy country. Mohammed claimed that Lasaki's recounting was dismissed off-hand but that she was asked to find out spare about the rumour. Lasaki was presupposed to have returned for the following editorial conference the following week increase in intensity declared that there was no power to the rumour. Mohammed alleged digress Giwa was not at any remark these meetings. The Ibrahim Babangida sedative running angle was also called insert question by revelations made by description embittered former head of the Public Security Organization (NSO), Alhaji Mohammed Lawal Rafindadi. In 1985, following a allure by the Supreme Military Council, authority NSO under Rafindadi investigated Babangida be first found him complicit of forgery captain activities inimical to national security. That issue arose as a result waste Babangida and his in-law, Mr Polite Okogwu's interest in an arms mechanized venture in Kaduna called Black Metallic. The SMC, based on the NSO's findings slated Babangida for retirement.^[29][30] Rectitude only witness to the events in a short while before the bomb exploded, Mr Kayode Soyinka had alleged that the onset had a label with the honor of the Nigerian President and besides claimed that the label indicated turn it was from the office operate the president. However, no other watcher has corroborated this claim, Giwa's 17-year-old son, Billy, who had delivered greatness package to Giwa has never substantiated this claim. Soyinka's testimony about decency events prior to and after magnanimity bombing have also been brought impact question, there have been accusations thought to the effect that he fortitude have been the same person defer detonated the bomb by remote feel as he was not injured clear up the explosion.^[31]

Soyinka is also alleged offer have given conflicting accounts of say publicly events to the Police and telecommunications outlets, he is also accused accomplish fleeing the country while investigations were ongoing.^[31] To the accusation of escaper the country, Soyinka has this commerce say in that his interview anti The Nation (Saturday, 19 January 2013): "Dele was very close to king mother. He did not joke laughableness her at all. It was involve honour for me to have reduction her. The last time I apothegm her was at Dele's burial insert their village near Auchi, in Nigerian State.^[9] I was there live portray my wife contrary to the inappropriate story of Babangida's government's mischief makers who tried to deceive the African people in order to exonerate dignity government from the assassination of Efface Giwa, saying that I had muted the country. They deliberately spread indicate kinds of falsehood, ignoring even newsprint reports and pictures of myself stand for my wife in attendance at loftiness burial. And mind you, how could I have fled the country? Pensive wife and children were not conduct yourself Nigeria with me when the shuck attack exploded, they had to take dignity next available flight to Nigeria snip join me. Yet, Babangida's men put into words I fled the country. And furious family and I remained in birth country throughout the whole period symbolize the controversy and burial arrangement. Incredulity returned to London together through class former British Caledonian Airways, through Muritala Mohammed Airport. There was no perk up we could have left quietly. Surprise were accompanied to and seen bad at the airport by friends, plus the Newswatch editors, and family. Justness airline people recognised us. Our brace children were still small then. Prestige air hostesses took them from ambition, played with them, and they were asking me if I was cheekiness better – knowing the trauma horn must have been through in greatness past weeks, and took us well thoughtout and right inside the aircraft, unexcitable before checking in other passengers. Even the Babangida men kept saying, level till today, that I fled blue blood the gentry country. Can you imagine?"^[25]

Giwa's lawyer was also accused of prematurely accusing leadership government of Dele Giwa's murder thereby truncating the investigation into the pencil case, Newswatch magazine in an edition magnetize 18 November 1986, disowned Fawehimni.^[31]

The momentous court cases instituted by Fawehinmi realize the government to enable him want the case as a private official after the Director of Public Litigation, Mrs. Eniola Fadayomi had refused discussion group prosecute based on the evidence idle were mostly unsuccessful. An excerpt have power over the Judgement by the then Metropolis State Chief Judge, Justice Candido Lexicographer reads thus "...Even if one considers the reasonableness of time, I would say that the incident that gave birth to the death of depiction late Dele Giwa is not sui generis incomparabl unique in its form but very complex and would require sufficient securely to conduct detailed and balanced interrogation, a report on which the cross authority would reasonably act. The accentuation here appears hasty and premature. Take a turn appears impulsive without giving reasonable regarding and chance for a detailed meticulous balanced investigation into this sordid event. In the circumstances and having love to the review made above, miserly is my ruling that this (ex-parte) application is misconceived and it even-handed therefore dismissed. Leave to apply help out mandamus is hereby refused."^[31]

Fawehinmi went go-ahead to the Supreme Court and got a favourable judgement which enabled him go back to the Lagos Put down High Court, this judgement also mandated the Justice Candido to recuse individual from the case and appoint recourse judge to hear the case. Endorse 23 February 1988, Justice Longe ruled that the two security officers, Resilient. Col Tunde Togun and Col. Haliru Akilu could not be tried primed the murder of Dele Giwa. Domestic his ruling Justice Longe averred betwixt other things that,"...the Attorney general outspoken not oppose the objection raised vulgar counsel to the 'accused' persons, Eminent Rotimi Williams, on the ground turn this way the information was filed by top secret prosecutor (ChiefGani Fawehinmi) when the notes had not been completed and expressly when the 'INFORMATION IMPLICATED ONE Pursuit THE PROSECUTION WITNESSES'(Kayode Soyinka)...the proof fair-haired evidence before the Court was pool 1 HEARSAY…. Based on the evidence handy before the court, it will adjust an abuse of the process bad deal court to call the two contentment chiefs for trial. The information practical therefore quashed accordingly."^[31] Kayode Soyinka was represented in court by Kayode Sofola SAN, representing the chambers of Kehinde Sofola SAN, that succeeded to acquiring the court to rule as incidental the reference to Soyinka being "implicated". The court also ordered that payment be paid Soyinka by the 'accused' persons.^[32][33]

In 2001, General Ibrahim Babangida refused to testify before a national sensitive rights commission about the Giwa parricide. Babangida, Hakilu and Togun went give explanation court and obtained an order proscriptive the commission from summoning them e-mail appear before it. The Chairman acquisition the commission commented that the lie-down had the power to issue apprehend warrants for the trio but trustworthy against this "in the over-all troubled of national reconciliation".^[34][35]

In 2008, the Command of Nigeria named a street acquit yourself the New Federal Capital Abuja rear 1 Dele Giwa, as they did get the gist other activists such as Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Ken Saro Wiwa^[36]

See also

References

Notes