Babafemi Ojudu recounts how President Tinubu secretly recorded Jewish lawyer exposing Abacha’s looting

REPORTED BY THE CABLE

In a recent interview, author and former senator Babafemi Ojudu shared a dramatic account of how President Bola Tinubu secretly recorded a conversation with a Jewish lawyer who exposed the massive looting orchestrated by former Nigerian military ruler Sani Abacha. Ojudu, discussing his newly published book ‘Adventures of A Guerrilla Journalist’, recounted a pivotal moment from his time as a journalist in exile.

Abacha, who ruled Nigeria from 1993 to 1998, is reported to have embezzled approximately $5 billion during his tenure, hiding the funds in foreign bank accounts across the United States, United Kingdom, and Switzerland. These funds have been the subject of an ongoing recovery process by the Nigerian government.

Ojudu detailed how, while in the UK, he met with Tinubu, who took him to meet the Jewish lawyer with critical information about Abacha’s illicit activities. The lawyer revealed extensive details about the former dictator’s corruption, including the involvement of the Chagoury brothers, a name frequently mentioned during the conversation.

Ojudu, unable to take notes during the meeting, struggled to remember key details. However, midway through the conversation, Tinubu excused himself to use the bathroom, later revealing that he had secretly switched the recording tape while in the bathroom, ensuring the lawyer remained unaware of the change.

Describing Tinubu as a “strategist,” Ojudu praised his ability to secure vital information. Ojudu went on to explain that despite his excitement over the exclusive material, Tinubu tried to prevent the story from being published. After leaving the meeting, Ojudu took the tape from Tinubu’s possession and proceeded to publish the shocking exposé about Abacha’s corruption, which he said “shook” the then military regime.

Although Ojudu was once an ally of Tinubu, he revealed that he opposed Tinubu’s presidential bid in 2022 and chose not to vote for him in the 2023 elections. He clarified that his decision was not a betrayal but a personal choice based on his political views.