Fela Outsmarts NDLEA Officials, Sues 100M for Right Violation

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In the docket of the Special Miscellaneous Offenses Tribunal in Lagos in 1996, an elderly Fela Anikulapo Kuti was included. On January 14, 1997, a raid by members of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), then under the command of Maj-Gen. Musa Bamaiyi, resulted in the arrest of at least 100 persons, including kids. Bamaiyi and Fela clashed about the negative effects of Indian hemp during a live TV show. Femi Falana, Fela’s attorney, pointed out that Fela pulled a quick one on the NDLEA by signing his interrogation charge sheet with the remark “in chains” next to it. This was FELA’S CLEVER “TRAP.”  Because the statement was acquired under duress, Femi Falana persuaded the court to discard it! Fela then filed a lawsuit against the NDLEA N100M, alleging that they had violated his basic rights to human dignity, personal liberty, and a fair trial. Now humiliated, NDLEA begged Fela to drop his civil lawsuit and offered to drop the criminal case. When Falana inquired about Fela’s acceptance of the NDLEA’s proposition, Fela allegedly replied, “NA GOOD DEAL AS BAMAIYI DON BEG ME”.

Intense Discord Between Igala King, Attah Ameh and the Queen of England

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Igala King Attah Ameh Oboni was highly esteemed. Attah Ameh was ordered to take off his cap to greet the Queen of England, as others had done, during a conference in Kaduna that included all of Nigeria’s paramount traditional rulers as well as the queen of England. Even yet, he persisted until they told him to leave the meeting if he didn’t take off his cap. However, Attah was unique—or was he? Attah was not allowed to take off his cap in public. A swarm of bees filled the whole hall where they were residing, originating from Attah Ameh Oboni’s cap, which he took off to welcome the Queen.  The amiable Oba of Benin was requested to leave before taking off his cap by Attah Ameh, but the Queen of England and the other rulers there rushed wildly. The conference ended when some people got stung by bees, and the place emptied out. History claims that the security personnel requested that Attah Ameh Oboni be arrested and handcuffed; nevertheless, the handcuffs were removed from his hands. On the orders of the Northern rulers, he was thereafter locked up in a room and watched over by security guards; however, the guards discovered later that he had fled the confinement. Yes, he said when the security guards were escorting him to a sealed room. Then he told Amanabo not to turn around until the automobile started to feel cool. Even though Amanabo briefly protested that he…

Establishment of Shell in Ibadan, Nigeria in 1960

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On the forecourt of a Shell garage and gas station in the city of Ibadan, in the southern Nigerian state of Oyo State, a Land Rover gets filled up with fuel. An oil firm called Royal Dutch Shell is known by the brand name Shell. In 1937, Shell D’Arcy commenced operations in Nigeria after being awarded an exploration license. The Niger Delta’s first commercial oil field was found by Shell Nigeria in 1956, and oil exports began the following year.

Brief Biography of Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua 

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The late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as a young man with his wife and son, 1977. Yar’adua was born in the Nigerian state of Katsina. His father, Musa Yar’Adua, was Minister of Lagos during the First Republic and held the title of Chief of the Matawalle (Guardian of the Royal Treasury) of the Emirate of Katsina, a title Yar’Adua inherited. His paternal grandfather, Malam Umaru, also held the title of Matawallen Katsina, while his paternal grandmother, Binta, was a Fulani of the Sullubawa clan, Princess of the Emirate of Katsina and sister of Emir Muhammadu Dikko.