by Dolapo Adelana
A former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Ishaya Bamaiyi has said former head of state, General Sani Abacha, never looted the country’s treasury, The Guardian reports.
Bamaiyi, who spoke on Thursday at the launch of his memoir said the ‘loot’ was a creation of the media.
He said to the best of his knowledge Abacha kept the funds where he thought they could be easily accessed when needed.
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He said, “I am not defending Abacha, I am not saying things did not go wrong. What I know is that we sat down and agreed that the monies should be kept in a place so that we can have access to them. I don’t know if something else happened after that period.”
The former Army Chief who served under Abacha said Abacha should be remembered as a patriot who acted in good faith.
“If you remember, we had problems in Sierra Leone and Liberia once and it was monies from the Abacha regime that we used to buy weapons and ammunition to help the fight.
“I am happy that the former minister of finance said the money was not looted but things happened and when things happen like that and you are not there to defend yourself, rumours will just be flying.
“What I know is that things do happen and I know that Abacha did very well for the country. If we see him from the bad aspect, we should also look at his good aspect and remember him for the good things he did for the country. That is why I said Abacha loot is a media creation.”
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Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.
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