Suspects recount how Rewane was murdered

Akeem Nafiu, Lagos - 30.06.2009

Elvis Irenuna and Lucky Igbinovia, two of the suspects currently facing trial over their alleged roles in the murder of a National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) chieftain, Pa Alfred Rewane, about 14 years ago, on Monday, at a Lagos high court presided over by Justice Olusola Williams, gave an account of how the elder statesman was murdered.

However, the two suspects in the course of the trial-within-trial denied the confessional statements allegedly made by them to the police, saying that it was made under duress.

The suspects had been incarcerated since October 6, 1995, while five of them, namely Ola Obanuso, Sylvester Iyabele, Sunday Ogbeide, Akeem Alli and Sunday Obanobi, had died in detention leaving the three to stand the trial.

Led in evidence by their counsel, Moses Odiri, one of the suspects, Irenuna, told the court that he was employed as an ‘office boy’ but later turned to be a driver, adding that in October 1995, the late Pa Rewane sent a message to him that he would be having an important meeting and directed him to report at his house.

According to him, he reported at the deceased’s house located at No. 100, Oduduwa Crescent GRA, Lagos, around 7.30 a.m and was writing a note to the Administrative Manager as instructed by Pa Rewane when he suddenly heard noise from the sitting room.

Upon investigation, he said he saw three men arguing with the steward and later discovered that they had an envelope for Pa Rewane and they insisted that it must be handed over to him (Pa Rewane) personally.

Irenuna further informed the court that one of the intruders pointed a gun at his head, raided the whole house and locked them up, including Pa Rewane’s wife in a room. Justice Williams adjourned further hearing in the matter till July 24.