News

Ex-Army Officer Jailed By Abacha Recounts Experience 25 Years After

Published

2 years ago

March 3, 2024

Editor

A former Army officer, (retd.) Col. Bello Fadile, who was sentenced to life imprisonment during the regime of the late Gen. Sani Abacha, has recounted his experience 25 years after the incident.

Fadile, who observed his prison term at the then-Argungu prison now known as the Kebbi State custodian centre, recalled he was court-martialled for advocating a non-violent composition of an interim government to replace the military junta of his-then friend and boss, Abacha.

Speaking with select journalists on Saturday, Fadile, an ex-intelligence military officer described his freedom from the prison on March 4, 1999, as unexpected.

Fadile noted that the news of his freedom got to him while on a three-day dry fasting and prayer.

He said, “I was court-martial to life sentence for advocating a non-violent composition of an interim government to replace the military junta of a friend and boss, Abacha.

“ 25 years ago, in the wee hours of March 4, 1999, I had a tap on my cell window. I got up and went closer. Then I saw the warder on duty, a retired Warrant Officer of the Nigerian Army now working for the Nigeria Prison Services. He said, “Oga you don free, congratulations sir, start packing your things, you are going home.

“I asked him, what did you just say? ” He said, “Yes sir you are to be released today, sir.” I did not say anything. I just believed him and rushed to the general open cell opposite my cell to tell the two other inmates who were on a three-day dry fasting with me, seeking the face of God in my situation.

“It was the beginning of the third day. I told them the good news and they shouted, “Hallelujah!” and we stood up and joined hands to sing out a sing-song chorus; God is able, abundantly able, to deliver and to save; The Lord is able, abundantly able, to deliver those who trust in him. Hallelujah!”

Fadile said he was preparing to leave when the Officer-In-Charge of the prison intimated to him that former Head of State, (retd.) Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar granted him pardon.

He said, “Thereafter I went to my cell, packed my stuff, and went to take a shower. At about 5.30 am, March 4, 1999, the Officer-In-Charge came to my cell and as usual, said, Doctor, you are free to go and you have to go out of my yard before 6 am today. The Head of State and Commander-In-Chief, General Abdusalami Abubakar has granted you and your colleagues a state pardon. Congratulations sir.

“And so it was 25 years ago that I breathed the air of freedom. To God be the honour and glory and of course gratitude to Gen. A A Abubakar (GCON) former Head of State. Special thanks to all others on whichever sides of the divide they were during the struggle to establish a truly democratic government in our dear motherland – Nigeria. God bless the Nigerian Military, my first love, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria”

Former military leader, Abacha, seized power in 1993 and served as the military head of state until he died in 1998

Fadile was, however, not the only one imprisoned during Abacha’s reign.

Under him, former president Olusegun Obasanjo was jailed for 30 years but was later freed after Abacha’s death.
PUNCH

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.