The Brigadier and his young family before he was arrested by Major General Ironsi.
I quote Adebayo-Adeneye-Adejuwon:
The photo above is that of Brigadier Victor Banjo and his family, courtesy of egbon Richard Akinnola II.
May the gentle soul of this fine and highly cerebral officer rest in perfect peace in the bosom of his creator
I had read different accounts of the stories of the exploits/actions/
In all the literature I have enountered on Banjo,my persuasion has always, and still remains that Brigadier Banjo didn't deserve what Ojukwu did to him.
And even today, after reading the three part series of the Random Musings of egbon Richard Akinnola II,an account, which is not in any way new to me, I am further persuaded that Ojukwu committed willful murder in the execution of Banjo.
Some facts culled from Naijaland site are:
1. Victor Banjo fought for Biafra because at that time, he was in a prison in the East after the 1966 coup. Most of the soldiers that participated in the 1966 coups were in prison round the country. Ojukwu needed experienced men at that time, so it was easy to turn to Victor Banjo to fight against those that put him in prison( The Northern elements of 1966 counter coup)
2. Ojukwu felt at that time, that Victor Banjo was fighting his own war NOT Biafra war. Some school of thought believed that Victor Banjo dream was to push the was to Yoruba territory via Ore and then declare Yoruba Nation. His success at Benin axis also showed his military capabilities fuelling the suspicion of him having his own agenda. The main reason why he was killed is know to Ojukwu alone but on paper, Victor Banjo, Phillip Alale, Ifeajuna and Sam Agbam were tried and convicted of Treason .
3. Victor Banjo was arrested based on suspicion of his involvement in the January 1966 coup, however, the real actors in the coup denied his involvement. All the soldiers ,Banjo, Ademoyega, Ifeajuna, Nzeogu were all kept in prison till the outbreak of the civil wars.
This is Richard Akinnola 11's version:
They were accused of trying to topple the secessionist government of Ojukwu during the war, in a two-count charge:
Count one
Subversion contrary to section 13(a) of the Law and Order (maintenance) Edict 1967.
Particulars of Offence
"That you, Victor Banjo, Philip Alale, Emmanuel Ifeajuna and Samuel Agbam, in the month of September 1967 at Enugu, in the Republic of Biafra (the said Republic being a disturbed area by virtue of the Order of the Military Governor made on 3rd june, 1967), without lawful authority, made preparations for carrying out an armed disturbance against the Military Governor and some officers of the Republic of Biafra."
Count Two
Act intended to cause a breach of public order contrary to section 6(e) of the law and order (Maintenance) Decrees 1967, otherwise known as the Law and Order (maintenance) Edict 1967).
Particulars of Offence:
"That you, Victor Banjo, Philip Alale, Emmanuel Ifeajuna and Sam Agbam, in the Month of September 1967, at Enugu in the Republic of Biafra (which is a disturbed area) with intent to cause a breach of public order, agreed to procure the downfall of the Government of the said Republic by violent and unlawful seizure of the military Governor of Head of State of the Republic of as for said and Commander-in-Chief of its Armed Forces and other military officers."
There was a third charge only for Major Philip Alale whose charge read:
"That you, Philip Alale, in the month of September 1967 at Enugu in the Republic of Biafra (which is a disturbed area) with intent to cause breach of public order did incite trade union leaders to hold mass rally intended to overthrow the government of the Republic Biafra. "
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges. The accused persons felt that their approach to the war was different to Ojukwu's an act that was termed sabotage.
Ifeajuna in his statement to the police, said: "On the night of 18th September, soon after Brigadier Banjo returned from Benin, he told the group mentioned in paragraph one:
• That our troops had withdrawn from Benin which was to be taken by enemy troops anytime that night or latest by the next day. It fell on September 20.
• That the troops were in no condition to fight because they could not be controlled any more.
• That he had been invited by his Excellency, the Governor to come back and take Command of the Biafran Army.
"The position, both from the front and from what he said, was gloomy, as if it was lost. With this picture as background, he said he was about to go and tell the Governor to resign so that negotiation will commence, if that will put an end to the horrors that appeared impending.
Most people in the group agreed that an end of hostilities will be welcomed if only to avert the massacre but that we could not see the Governor resigning.
Brigadier Banjo said something had to be done and quickly too, if the position was not to be beyond repairs.
The group opposed the use of force.
And I pointed out that in the confusion that would arise after the use of force, no one could control the situation and that we would even get Biafrans fighting one another while the enemy is still at the borders."
One of the prosecution witnesses was Brigadier Alexander Madiebo.
He was cross-examined by Brigadier Banjo, though an accused, but served as "counsel" to other accused persons.
Banjo: On August 1, 1967, I made remarks about the regime and the personality of the Governor.
Madiebo: Yes, but I cannot remember all. I remember you saying that the Governor is a bit difficult to convince.
Banjo: I made a remark that if the person or the regime of Colonel Ojukwu is threatened in any manner during my absence, you should do your best to defend the Governor and the regime even if it meant marching to Enugu to do it.
Madiebo: Frankly, I do not remember. If you had told me that, I would thought it an important observation.
Banjo: We were discussing about the possibility that the Commander might have intentions against the Governor!
Madiebo: You have always said so. You have no confidence in Brigadier Njoku. You never expressed the view that he might organize a coup..."
Subversion contrary to section 13(a) of the Law and Order (maintenance) Edict 1967.
Particulars of Offence
"That you, Victor Banjo, Philip Alale, Emmanuel Ifeajuna and Samuel Agbam, in the month of September 1967 at Enugu, in the Republic of Biafra (the said Republic being a disturbed area by virtue of the Order of the Military Governor made on 3rd june, 1967), without lawful authority, made preparations for carrying out an armed disturbance against the Military Governor and some officers of the Republic of Biafra."
Count Two
Act intended to cause a breach of public order contrary to section 6(e) of the law and order (Maintenance) Decrees 1967, otherwise known as the Law and Order (maintenance) Edict 1967).
Particulars of Offence:
"That you, Victor Banjo, Philip Alale, Emmanuel Ifeajuna and Sam Agbam, in the Month of September 1967, at Enugu in the Republic of Biafra (which is a disturbed area) with intent to cause a breach of public order, agreed to procure the downfall of the Government of the said Republic by violent and unlawful seizure of the military Governor of Head of State of the Republic of as for said and Commander-in-Chief of its Armed Forces and other military officers."
There was a third charge only for Major Philip Alale whose charge read:
"That you, Philip Alale, in the month of September 1967 at Enugu in the Republic of Biafra (which is a disturbed area) with intent to cause breach of public order did incite trade union leaders to hold mass rally intended to overthrow the government of the Republic Biafra. "
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges. The accused persons felt that their approach to the war was different to Ojukwu's an act that was termed sabotage.
Ifeajuna in his statement to the police, said: "On the night of 18th September, soon after Brigadier Banjo returned from Benin, he told the group mentioned in paragraph one:
• That our troops had withdrawn from Benin which was to be taken by enemy troops anytime that night or latest by the next day. It fell on September 20.
• That the troops were in no condition to fight because they could not be controlled any more.
• That he had been invited by his Excellency, the Governor to come back and take Command of the Biafran Army.
"The position, both from the front and from what he said, was gloomy, as if it was lost. With this picture as background, he said he was about to go and tell the Governor to resign so that negotiation will commence, if that will put an end to the horrors that appeared impending.
Most people in the group agreed that an end of hostilities will be welcomed if only to avert the massacre but that we could not see the Governor resigning.
Brigadier Banjo said something had to be done and quickly too, if the position was not to be beyond repairs.
The group opposed the use of force.
And I pointed out that in the confusion that would arise after the use of force, no one could control the situation and that we would even get Biafrans fighting one another while the enemy is still at the borders."
One of the prosecution witnesses was Brigadier Alexander Madiebo.
He was cross-examined by Brigadier Banjo, though an accused, but served as "counsel" to other accused persons.
Banjo: On August 1, 1967, I made remarks about the regime and the personality of the Governor.
Madiebo: Yes, but I cannot remember all. I remember you saying that the Governor is a bit difficult to convince.
Banjo: I made a remark that if the person or the regime of Colonel Ojukwu is threatened in any manner during my absence, you should do your best to defend the Governor and the regime even if it meant marching to Enugu to do it.
Madiebo: Frankly, I do not remember. If you had told me that, I would thought it an important observation.
Banjo: We were discussing about the possibility that the Commander might have intentions against the Governor!
Madiebo: You have always said so. You have no confidence in Brigadier Njoku. You never expressed the view that he might organize a coup..."
No comments:
Post a Comment