Akinloye Akinyemi

Akinloye Akinyemi, (1954–2012), also known as Sergeant Carter, was a Nigerian retired Major who was arrested, tried and sentenced in 1987 and 1995 for alleged coup plotting.[1][2] During his military career, he served in the Nigerian Army Signal Corps.[3] He is the younger brother of Bolaji Akinyemi.[4]

Major

Akinloye Akinyemi
Nickname(s)Sergeant Carter
BornIlesa, Osun State, Nigeria
Allegiance Nigeria
Service/branch Nigerian Army
RankMajor
Alma materRoyal Military Academy Sandhurst
Royal Military College of Science
Buried
Victoria Court Cemetery, Lagos, Nigeria

Early life and education

Akinyemi is a native of Ilesa, Osun State.[5] He attended Government College, Ibadan, cadet unit, military training bush camp in Igbo-Ora, Oyo State in 1960s and Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna State where he became the best army cadet during his graduation in 1970s. He went to Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where he won the Cane of Honour as the Best Overseas Cadet, before preceding to Royal Military College of Science, where he graduated with a first class degree in electrical engineering.[6][3]

Trials and imprisonment

In 1987, Akinyemi was arrested and tried by a military tribunal headed by Oladipo Diya for allegedly coup plotting against Ibrahim Babangida. He was found not guilty of treason, but served a five-year prison sentence after getting convicted of a lesser, disciplinary offence.[2][7][8]

On 26 January 1995, Akinyemi was again arrested, detained and interrogated on allegations of coup plotting by the Sani Abacha led military government.[9][10]

On 5 June 1995, the military government assembled a secret special military tribunal headed by Patrick Aziza. The tribunal tried and charged Akinyemi and 15 others with treason, concealment of treason, and conspiracy. On 30 June 1995, Akinyemi challenged the authority of the secret tribunal to hear the case at the Lagos federal high court, Judge Vincent Eigbedion dismissed the lawsuit, citing the 1990 Special Military Tribunal Act which prevents the judiciary from interfering with tribunal matters.[11]

On 13 July 1995, Akinyemi also approached the Lagos court of appeal to prevent any sentence from being carried out on him and the others, Judge Kolapo Sulu-Gambari turned down the request, citing that the court was not convinced Akinyemi's life was in danger.[12]

On 14 July 1995, Akinyemi was sentenced to death, but was later commuted to life imprisonment on 1 October 1995.[2]

On 4 March 1999, the then military government of Abdulsalami Abubakar, granted Akinyemi and others a grant of clemency, thus pardoning them for all the allegations and charges leveled against them.[13]

Death

Akinyemi died in 2012.[14] He was buried at the Victoria Court Cemetery, Lekki, Lagos, after his funeral service was held at Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Lord Central Parish, Lekki.

References
  1. "Major Triumphant". The Nation Newspapers. 30 September 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  2. Max Siollun (2019). Nigeria's Soldiers of Fortune: The Abacha and Obasanjo Years. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9781787382022. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  3. "Lest We Forget: Major Akinloye Akinyemi's Self Sacrifice (1954-2012)". Sahara Reporters. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  4. Oyo, Remi (2 October 1995). "NIGERIA-POLITICS: For The Doubting Thomases". Inter Press Service. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  5. "I also knew Major Akinyemi:a tribute". Vanguard Newspapers. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  6. "'At ease Major, at ease'". The Nation Newspapers. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  7. "Nigeria: The Continuing Disintegration of Rule of Law". Review of African Political Economy. Taylor & Francis. 22 (64): 249–251. June 1995. JSTOR 4006324.
  8. "Nigeria: A Travesty of Justice: Secret treason trials and other concerns". Amnesty International. 26 October 1995. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  9. "Legal and health concern/Prisoners of conscience/Fear of death penalty" (PDF). Amnesty International. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  10. "Transition or Travesty: Nigeria's Endless Process of Return to Civilian Rule". Human Rights Watch. 1 October 1997. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  11. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Report Submitted to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, U.S. House of Representatives and Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate by the Department of State in Accordance with Sections 116(d) and 502B(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as Amended, Volume 1; Volume 4. United States Government Publishing Office. 1996. ISBN 9780160524806. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  12. "Court in Nigeria Rejects a Challenge To Secret Coup Trial". The New York Times. 14 July 1995. Archived from the original on 14 July 1995. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  13. Teniola, Eric (9 November 2017). "General Olanrewaju wants pardon". TheCable. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  14. "Abacha's men injected late Major Akinloye Akinyemi with HIV virus". The Nigerian Voice. 22 September 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
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