Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), has denied any involvement in the assassination of veteran journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch, Dele Giwa.
Giwa, a prominent critic of Babangida’s military regime, was killed by a parcel bomb at his Ikeja, Lagos residence on October 19, 1986. His assassination remains one of Nigeria’s most controversial and unsolved murder cases.
The Events Leading to Giwa’s Death
Just two days before the tragic incident, a senior officer of the Directorate of Military Intelligence accused Giwa of illegally importing and stockpiling arms to stage a socialist revolution in Nigeria. Alarmed by the allegation, Giwa immediately consulted his lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi.
The next day, Colonel Halilu Akilu, a security chief, contacted Giwa to dismiss the accusation as a misunderstanding and assured him that the matter had been resolved. However, according to Ray Ekpu, Giwa’s colleague at Newswatch, a few hours later, a government emissary delivered a parcel to Giwa’s home. The package, received by his son Billy and marked “To be opened by addressee only,” bore the seal of the Presidency. Giwa, seated at the dining table with Kayode Soyinka, the Newswatch London correspondent, opened the parcel, leading to the fatal explosion.
Babangida’s Response in His Autobiography
Dismissing longstanding allegations of his involvement, Babangida, in his newly launched autobiography, A Journey in Service, presented in Abuja on Thursday, expressed hope that the truth about Giwa’s murder would eventually be uncovered.
He wrote:
“The hysteria of the media did not help the investigation of the Giwa murder. As is typical of the Nigerian media, the direction was marked by an adversarial attitude towards the government, which has remained the hallmark of the Nigerian media from its colonial heyday.”
Babangida further criticized the we versus the government approach of Nigerian journalism, which, according to him, often leads to premature judgments against authorities.
He continued:
“When the Obasanjo civilian administration reopened the Giwa case at the Oputa Panel on Human and Civil Rights, I expected that the police and lawyers would come forward with new evidence. Nothing of such happened. The Giwa case, like all mysterious murders, has remained unsolved after so many years. I keep hoping the truth will be uncovered in our lifetime or after us.”
Dignitaries Attend Babangida’s Book Launch
The event also marked the launch of Babangida’s presidential library and attracted notable figures, including President Bola Tinubu, former presidents, military leaders, and industry captains such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
Also in attendance were former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, and Yemi Osinbajo. The event welcomed 2023 presidential candidates, including Labour Party’s Peter Obi and NNPP’s Rabiu Kwankwaso, alongside key politicians, governors, and business magnates.
The keynote speaker, former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, was joined by former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Koroma, while high-profile government officials, industrialists, and traditional rulers also graced the occasion.
A Case Still Unsolved
Nearly four decades later, Dele Giwa’s assassination remains an open wound in Nigeria’s history, with no definitive answers regarding those responsible. As Babangida’s autobiography rekindles public discourse, questions surrounding Giwa’s tragic death linger, awaiting the day when justice might finally be served.