Lagos: A former Executive Editor of the defunct Newswatch magazine, Yakubu Mohammed, has detailed the consequences faced by the magazine’s directors following an explosive interview with Brig.-Gen. David Mark. This account is part of his recently published memoir, ‘Beyond Expectations.’
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mohammed recounted that after Gen. Sani Abacha overthrew the Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government on November 17, 1993, he began removing individuals known as ‘Babangida Boys’ from key military positions. Among them were Gen. Aliu Gusau and Brig.-Gen. David Mark, both previously aligned with Babangida. Mark, in particular, chose to reveal Abacha’s true motives, contradicting the initial impression that the coup was meant to facilitate the presidency of Chief M.K.O. Abiola or to hold another election.
Mohammed explained that David Mark provided Dan Agbese, then editor-in-chief of Newswatch, with an explosive interview in London. In this interview, Mark accused Abacha of betraying trust by deviating from plans for a constitutional conference, which was an idea proposed by Gen. Oladipo Diya. The removal of the ING, initially perceived as a step towards Abiola’s swearing-in, attracted several pro-democracy politicians to Abacha’s cabinet, including Babagana Kingibe and Lateef Jakande. However, Mark dismissed this as a facade, asserting that Abacha intended to remain in power for five years and eventually transition to a civilian president.
The publication of Mark’s interview on April 11, 1994, led to a manhunt for the Newswatch editors by the SSS. Mohammed recounted being trailed to Lokoja, where SSS operatives confirmed his identity as a wanted man. He was later arrested at the Kogi Government House and transported to Lagos. Ray Ekpu, another editor, faced arrest while attempting to board a flight in Calabar.
The editors were detained in a single cell with minimal amenities and constant surveillance. Mohammed described the challenging conditions, including a persistent light bulb controlled from outside the room. The intervention of media colleagues and organizations, like the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria and the Guild of Editors, along with elder statesmen led by Adamu Ciroma, eventually persuaded Abacha to order their release, dropping all sedition charges.