The Guardian (Lagos)
Mustapha Ogunshakin
10 September 2001
Abuja — A dreary chapter in the nation's annals may be revisited tomorrow at the Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (HRVIC) as President Olusegun Obasanjo files his defence over the burning in 1978 of the famous Kalakuta Republic. The property was owned by family of the late afrobeat maestro, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
The stage for probing revelations about the military invasion of the republic was set when Fela's younger brother, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti a human rights activist, filed a petition at the panel.
Beko had filed the petition with a view to investigating the circumstances surrounding the burning of the property and the eventual death of his mother, Mrs. Oluwafunmilayo Ransome-Kuti.
But at the weekend, in a move that underpins the President's belief that summons by the commission must be obeyed, he filed his defence through the chambers of the pro-chancellor of University of Lagos, Chief Afe Babalola.
As at Friday afternoon, The Guardian gathered that copies of President Obasanjo's response had reached members of the commission.
The swiftness of the Obasanjo's response aligns with the assurance of the Presidential spokesman, Mr. Tunji Oseni, soon after Beko presented his petition, that Obasanjo was ready to appear before the commission if summoned.
Oseni had said: "There is nothing spectacular about the petition by Beko Ransome-Kuti. As you are aware, the President had appeared before the Oputa Commission before and the president's position is that the commission, to the extent that it is a fact-finding commission, deserves all of the cooperation that it can get from Nigerians."
The President's appearance before the commission may actually ease the way for other former rulers to come to the commission. In fact, in the petition of Beko, others that have been summoned with Obasanjo are General Muhammedu Buhari and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, both former heads of state.
This may confirm Oseni's earlier statement that "he (the president) feels having appeared before that commission, he does not consider any other person as being beyond rendering assistance to the commission."
Sources close to the Aso Villa also revealed that officials were preparing for appearance of the President before the commission.
It will indeed be a very busy week for the commission; as from tomorrow it will be hearing very serious cases. These include a petition filed by Chief G.O. Akinleye, against Shell Petroleum Development Company (SDPC); and former Director of Military Intelligence (DMI), Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Sabo and the current DMI Chief will also appear in the case of Chief Chuma Nzeribe over the alleged planting of bombs in his house.
Others include the petitions of Major Nya I Nya against former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Ishaiya Bamaiyi over illegal detention and unlawful removal from the Nigerian Army. The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) and its chairman, Mr. Ledum Mitee are slated for Thursday alongside the Jesse fire incidents' petition against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
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