Nigeria - Minister Vatsa and soldiers receive death sentence

(25 Feb 1986) DIGIBETA HELD IN THE ARCHIVE
GS CAS NIGERIA: Former Armed Forces Minister Major-General Mamman
05038614 Vatsa and 12 others have been sentenced to death for leading
1"VT+BVU an abortive coup last December. The military tribunal which
tried the men was chaired by Major-General Charles Ndioumu.
-------------------------------------------------------------
NIGERIA SHOWS: Soldiers taking court seats prior to sentencing;
Lagos accused men arriving in black car; Wing Commander J Ukwu,
who was acquitted; members of military tribunal; Major-
General Vatsa (sitting down first) with other accused;
judgement read by Major-General Ndioumu; people leaving
court. Date Shot: 25.2.86
Ex VID (Engl sp) WTN 0.54mins
T/I 53.45
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[@ikene9821]

Lt.Col Moses Effiong and Major Tobias Akwashiki later had their sentences commuted shortly before they were to be executed and were later released.

[@anthonyononye3883]

Nigerian Madness. Soldiers have messed up this Country. Shame to all of you.

[@d.bcooper2271]

And some clueless youths are still hoping for military rulers

[@ozogula64]

That coup was indeed a phantom one. We will all one day come face-to- face with our Maker.

[@walatabig]

It was not. It was just at a very very early stage. And the reaction was too drastic

[@ababakarmohammed9509]

@@walatabig how do you mean it was not, please give us reasons for ur submission

[@walatabig]

There were actually investigations and statements were collected and corroborated. They were still conspiring though, they had not carried out the treason itself. They shouldnt have been shot

[@ChikwadoTradingAcademy]

The number of Innocent people killed for nothing in this country is crazy

[@chikanjoku9884]

They shouldn't have been executed. They should have been either, dismissed or retired from service and placed under house arrest, and their security details withdrawn. There is no moral justification for the execution of coup plotters especially when the coup is a frame-up, bloodless, unjustified and without substantial evidence. Military regardless, friendship has no substitute.

[@harmanwachira1755]

Idiot...go read the Constitution you dump...treason is punishable by death and they knew that before trying to overthrow the government

[@LaLa-rn5kz]

Babangida/Abacha shedded more blood than their generations can atone for.What a waste!

[@d.bcooper2271]

😅😅😅😅

[@jaytettehquarshie1522]

How does this work?You use coup sometimes a bloody coup to gain power,thats not treason,a colleague soldier uses the same method to oust u,thats treason.The military must be some place or i dont understand th concept well

[@anthonyatang482]

These need to he Netflix documentaries

[@ativiejonathan3705]

They never got a fair hearing

[@walatabig]

I've never heard of a military tribunal anywhere in the world where that happens

[@omoniyikaye]

It was hush hush. IBB could not wait to get rid of his childhood friend so so sad.

[@opportunity53]

Justice Bola Ajibola reviewed their sentences before the AFRC upheld it . We've been in a mess for too long time. For those who witnessed this, they will be very naive to ask "how did we get here"

[@opportunity53]

Despite both local and international calls for reprieve.

[@ababakarmohammed9509]

@@opportunity53 unfortunately

[@oladunjoyeevergreensongaji9560]

Please can you upload more of it I will be apriciate

[@dareakinde4456]

Babangida would never be forgotten for the evil he committed by killing his best friend and other soldiers on account conspiracy to commit treason. They were just suspects. Jail term would have sufficed. I feel for their families, especially the Bamideles.

[@opportunity53]

A lot of things led to the death of Vatsa. As the Secretary of the Obada panel, he earned himself a latent enmity in some circles of the army. At the slightest opportunity, his unknown enemies ganged up against him and got rid of him. However, Bitiyong never freely implicated Vatsa. He was tortured for 48 hours to make statements against a highly respected friend and general. Only God knows what truly happened. Even Lt Gen. Ndiomu, shortly before he died, said the evidence they amassed against Vatsa was weak. Only God can heal this pain of decades. Michael Iyorshe, a respected officer, Christian Oche, Asen Ahura and others. Our land needs to be healed.

[@jesuslovesme8824]

Abacha saw Mamman Vasta as a stumbling block to him becoming president . he was IBBs friend. IBB would have been considered weak if Basra was not executed.

[@ababakarmohammed9509]

@@opportunity53 oh really? That doesn't justified the murdered of that fine officer

[@abimbolabamidele2557]

Please can you upload more videos about the Vatsa trial and any other videos relating to it. Would really appreciate it, Thanks and God Bless. Abimbola Bamidele.

[@kolasotinwa1399]

Are you related to Major Daniel Bamidele?

[@bankoleodeyemi2237]

@@kolasotinwa1399 she's the daughter of the late major she and Remi bamidele I knew them in rekuba barracks

[@jibson6118]

If indeed you are the daughter of late Major Bamidele, then you are supposed to rally all lawful instruments to seek redress for the absolutely injust killing of your father. He was NEVER a part of the 'coup', and we have compelling reasons to assert this. The trial (and the entire argument against the accused officers) itself has many serious k legs which I can write loads about. In a fair trial, there is hardly any of the accused that could have bagged up to 5 years imprisonment. If I can communicate with you (what I know; I will communicate it to you in private communication; not here), I will give you facts which will rubbish everything that was said against your innocent father. I keep emphasising your innocent father. He had no business even being in prison for even a day. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Ameen.

[@bankoleodeyemi2237]

@@jibson6118 connect with them using Remi bamidele on instagramme or Facebook or search for whereisourfathersgrave in Instagram u get in touch

[@khalidbashir4017]

@@jibson6118amen..you’re a gentleman

[@opportunity53]

The phantom coup

[@pouzo8164]

Could this judgement be reviewed?

[@enetamuno5953]

@pouzo8164 these coup trials we're usually by "Special Military Tribunals" outside the usual military/civil judicial system. The "Supreme Military Council" would affirm the judgment of the Tribunal, or amend it, and that is that. For normal Court Martials they are integrated with the civil judicial system. Once a Court Martial gives judgment, the Convening officer reviews, on to the Chief if Army/Naval/Air Staff of the personnel involved. Any appeal goes to the Court of Appeal, if still dissatisfied the final appeal is to the Nigerian Supreme Court. To reiterate on your question in Coup matters were a Special Military Tribunals tries suspects, a Guilty verdict is final. There is no appeal

[@oyerindejoshua9365]

Shame on IBB they spoil Nigeria.

[@omoniyikaye]

Phantom coup.

[@lizzyreallife601]

Babagidda make women widows and children fatherless just for power. Even his childhood friend..

[@ambigawankpegh9966]

Maj Gen Ndiomu who was the tribunal President is also dead.

[@muhammadmustapha1998]

Such is life

[@kpopeverywhere4819]

Babangida is an evil reincarnate. He will not die quickly but will be on wheelchair for many years wriggling in pains. He is not healthy. His regime wasted so many brilliant officers. He will not die in peace but in pains.

[@tonyebiere551]

is he expected to live forever?

[@muhammadmustapha1998]

@@kpopeverywhere4819 are u the almighty?

[@eechaze12]

Babangida will one day meet God as well. These people just went before him. How time flies IBB. But you can't escape. There was no need to shed these blood.

[@AhmadAli-zo6dq]

IBB is still alive he’s the goat 🔥🔥🔥

[@benjaminmafo3813]

Babangida has already bought his journey ticket to go and join these people in the great beyond. No hurry in life, it's a matter of time.

[@TheNaijaboy007]

...all were Southerners!

[@adetiloyemichael9047]

Lieutenant Colonel Musa Bitiyong was a northerner

[@philipfrancis3357]

​@@adetiloyemichael9047 Thank you. This is the issue I have with young folks. They rarely read anything and are willing to make false statements just to satisfy their stupid desire to remark. Vasta and Ochie were also Notherners.

[@ababakarmohammed9509]

@@philipfrancis3357 wow

[@adebamboadewale2344]

Was Mamman Vatsa a Southerner?

[@d.bcooper2271]

🤡

[@felixconway657]

Hho

[@raheemibraheem4008]

When Nigeria was still Nigeria