Richard Akinnola, a lawyer and activist, has spoken about the trial of Major Gideon Orkar and other soldiers involved in the failed coup 35 years ago. Akinnola said that after their arrest, the soldiers were taken to a military tribunal at the Air Force base in Victoria Island where they were convicted of treason
In an exclusive interview with Edmund Obilo from 1:19, Akinnola said he was present during the trial and stood very close to them as they were brought in. He said Orkar looked calm and showed no signs of fear or regret. He said he later received information from sources at Kirikiri prison about Orkar’s behavior before the execution. He said he was told that Orkar encouraged the other soldiers to brace up as they were being taken to the place where they would be executed.
In Akinnola’s words: “In fact, from my contact in Kirikiri Prison, the day they were to be executed, when they were bringing them out he was the one telling them ‘Brace up, brace up guys’ when they were being led to the execution stakes”
