1995 Coup: Farida Waziri Mischaracterised My Role, Says Col. Fadile

Retired military officer and human rights lawyer, Col. Bello Fadile has responded to the circulating extracts from a book authored by Mrs. Farida Waziri, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), regarding the 1995 alleged coup during the Gen. Sani Abacha regime.

In a statement issued on Monday, Fadile expressed concern over the misrepresentation of his role in what has been termed a phantom coup. He highlighted the excerpts from Waziri’s book, “Farida Waziri: One Step Ahead,” which he alleged portrayed some aspects of the events inaccurately, particularly regarding his involvement.

In the trending memoir, the former EFCC boss, allegedly recalled how former Chief of  Army Staff, “General Abdulrahman Dambazau watched Obasanjo confidently rubbish the allegations leveled at him by Colonel Bello Fadile during the trial”.

But the ex-intelligence officer said even though Farida Waziri is someone he respects but she was relating the events from her own limited understanding of what transpired, adding that there were gaps in the book due to the “narrow perspectives with limited information”.

Fadile said that even though he has given some of these accounts at the Oputa Panel, he however, promised to tell his own side of the story and provide a more comprehensive account in his forthcoming book

Part of his statement read: “I find it necessary to address these inaccuracies, especially considering my own involvement in the events mentioned. The portrayal of my role in the alleged coup, as depicted in Waziri’s book, is far from accurate. Contrary to  her claims, the truth can be found in the proceedings of the Oputa Panel, where I provided my testimony, despite attempts by the government at the time to manipulate the proceedings.

“The project I referred to as the “Back to Barracks Campaign  deserves a fair and comprehensive exposé, which I intend to provide in my forthcoming book, “Nine Lives: The Bello Fadile Memoirs.”

“I want to assure the public and all concerned individuals that the genuine and complete truth will be revealed soon in my upcoming book.”

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

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