By Richard Akinnola II
During the Nigerian-Biafran civil war, former secessionist
leader, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, tried four of his men at a Special
Military Tribunal and executed them.
The accused persons, who
were part of the Biafran struggle , were Brigadier Victor Banjo, Lt.
Col. Emmanuel Ifeajuna, Major Philip Alale and Mr. Samuel Agbam. Major
Ifeajuna was the first Black African to win a Gold medal in the
Commonwealth games in 1954.
They were accused of trying to topple the secessionist government of Ojukwu during the war, in a two-count charge:
Count one
Subversion contrary to section 13(a) of the Law and Order (maintenance) Edict 1967.
Particulars of Offence
"That you, Victor Banjo, Philip Alale, Emmanuel Ifeajuna and Samuel
Agbam, in the month of September 1967 at Enugu, in the Republic of
Biafra (the said Republic being a disturbed area by virtue of the Order
of the Military Governor made on 3rd june, 1967), without lawful
authority, made preparations for carrying out an armed disturbance
against the Military Governor and some officers of the Republic of
Biafra."
Count Two
Act intended to cause a breach
of public order contrary to section 6(e) of the law and order
(Maintenance) Decrees 1967, otherwise known as the Law and Order
(maintenance) Edict 1967).
Particulars of Offence:
"That you, Victor Banjo, Philip Alale, Emmanuel Ifeajuna and Sam
Agbam, in the Month of September 1967, at Enugu in the Republic of
Biafra (which is a disturbed area) with intent to cause a breach of
public order, agreed to procure the downfall of the Government of the
said Republic by violent and unlawful seizure of the military Governor
of Head of State of the Republic of as for said and Commander-in-Chief
of its Armed Forces and other military officers."
There was a third charge only for Major Philip Alale whose charge read:
"That you, Philip Alale, in the month of September 1967 at Enugu in the Republic of Biafra (which is a disturbed area) with intent to cause breach of public order did incite trade union leaders to hold mass rally intended to overthrow the government of the Republic Biafra. "
"That you, Philip Alale, in the month of September 1967 at Enugu in the Republic of Biafra (which is a disturbed area) with intent to cause breach of public order did incite trade union leaders to hold mass rally intended to overthrow the government of the Republic Biafra. "
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges. The accused persons felt
that their approach to the war was different to Ojukwu's an act that
was termed sabotage.
Ifeajuna in his statement to the police,
said: "On the night of 18th September, soon after Brigadier Banjo
returned from Benin, he told the group mentioned in paragraph one:
•
That our troops had withdrawn from Benin which was to be taken by enemy
troops anytime that night or latest by the next day. It fell on
September 20.
• That the troops were in no condition to fight because they could not be controlled any more.
• That he had been invited by his Excellency, the Governor to come back and take Command of the Biafran Army.
"The position, both from the front and from what he said, was gloomy,
as if it was lost. With this picture as background, he said he was about
to go and tell the Governor to resign so that negotiation will
commence, if that will put an end to the horrors that appeared
impending.
Most people in the group agreed that an end of hostilities
will be welcomed if only to avert the massacre but that we could not see
the Governor resigning.
Brigadier Banjo said something had to be done and quickly too, if the position was not to be beyond repairs.
The group opposed the use of force.
And I pointed out that in the
confusion that would arise after the use of force, no one could control
the situation and that we would even get Biafrans fighting one another
while the enemy is still at the borders."
One of the prosecution
witnesses was Brigadier Alexander Madiebo.
He was cross-examined by
Brigadier Banjo, though an accused, but served as "counsel" to other
accused persons.
Banjo: On August 1, 1967, I made remarks about the regime and the personality of the Governor.
Madiebo: Yes, but I cannot remember all. I remember you saying that the Governor is a bit difficult to convince.
Banjo: I made a remark that if the person or the regime of Colonel
Ojukwu is threatened in any manner during my absence, you should do your
best to defend the Governor and the regime even if it meant marching to
Enugu to do it.
Madiebo: Frankly, I do not remember. If you had told me that, I would thought it an important observation.
Banjo: We were discussing about the possibility that the Commander might have intentions against the Governor!
Madiebo: You have always said so. You have no confidence in Brigadier
Njoku. You never expressed the view that he might organize a coup..."
Pix- Col. Banjo and his family, while pix two is Major Ifeajuna.
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