Abacha ordered us to kill Adesanya - Sgt. Rogers

Eric Ikhilae, Lagos - 18.03.2008

A prominent member of the Strike Force, a killer squad of the General Sani Abacha government, Sergeant Barnabas Jabila Msheilla, a.k.a. Rogers, on Monday said that he was detailed by the then government to eliminate a member of the opposition, Chief Abraham Adesanya.

Sgt. Msheilla was testifying before Justice O. A. Williams of the Lagos High Court, Igboshere, at the resumption of the trial of two individuals being held over the alleged shooting of Chief Adesanya, who was a chieftain of defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in 1997.

Rogers said he obeyed the state’s directive for the killing of Chief Adesanya because he had the duty to execute any assignment given to him as a servant of the state.

He was being coss-examined as witness in the trial of Aminu Mohammed (former personal driver to Mohammed Abacha) and Lateef Sofolahon (ex-aide to the late Alhaja Kudirat Aboila

He admitted still being in service and earning his salary, but denied that he agreed to act as prosecution witness because the state promised to shield him from prosecution.

“I do not know why I am not being charged for shooting Kudirat and Chief Adesanya,” he said.

He denied being culpable for all the killings and shootings he carried out during the Abacha days, saying “I think I have committed no offence because I was carrying out the orders of my superiors. We were just working for the state.”

Sergeant Rogers said his current posting in the Army was to work at the State House and added that his roles were mainlyas directed by the state.

Responding to a question from defence counsel, Mr.James Ocholi, that he was being kept and fed by the state so he can come to court to testify, he denied such allusion and said he only feeds from his earning as a military personnel.

Justice Williams has fixed further hearing in the case for April 15.