Life sentence: Fadile reflects on freedom 25 years after

A retired Nigerian Army officer, Col. Bello Fadile, has reflected on his release 25 years ago from Argungu Prison (now correctional facility), Kebbi State.

Reflecting on the occasion in a chat with some journalists at the weekend, Bello shed light on events surrounding his unexpected liberation from what had been a life sentence under the late Gen. Sani Abacha regime.

The former intelligence officer said he was sentenced for advocating a non-violent composition of an interim government to replace the military junta of his then friend and boss, Abacha.

Fadile recalled the early hours of March 4, 1999, when he received the life-changing news.

According to him, a tap on his cell window jolted him awake, and to his surprise, he found a retired Warrant Officer of the Nigerian Army, now working as a warder, delivering the long-awaited message of freedom.

Fadile said with a sense of disbelief and overwhelming gratitude, he hastily shared the news with his fellow inmates, marking the end of a three-day period of fervent prayer and fasting.

In his testimony, which forms part of his upcoming book, ‘Nine Lives: The Bello Fadile Memoirs’, he narrated: “Twenty-five years ago, in the wee hours of March 4, 1999, I heard a tap on my cell window and a shout of Colonel! Colonel! Wake up! I got up and went closer.

“Then I saw the warder on duty, a retired Warrant Officer of the Nigerian Army now working for the Nigeria Prison Services. ‘Oga, you don free! Congratulations, sir. Start packing your things; you are going home.’

“I asked him, ‘What did you just say?’ He said, ‘Yes, sir. You are to be released today, sir.’ I did not say anything. I just believed him and rushed to the general open cell, opposite my cell, to tell the two other inmates who were on a three-day dry fasting with me, seeking the face of God in my situation.

“It was the beginning of the third day. I told them the good news and they shouted, ‘Hallelujah!’ and we stood up and joined hands to sing a chorus.

“Amid expressions of joy and gratitude, I was preparing to leave my confinement behind when the Officer-in-Charge delivered the official announcement of my pardon by the then Head of State and Commander-in-Chief, General Abdusalami Abubakar.”

According to the human rights lawyer, it was with a newfound sense of freedom and a deep appreciation for those who supported him during his ordeal that he stepped out of the prison gates into a new chapter of life on that fateful day.

Fadile expressed gratitude to Abubakar and all those who contributed to the establishment of a true democratic government in Nigeria. He also extended his appreciation to the Nigerian military, emphasising his enduring love for his country.

He said: “Thereafter, I went to my cell, packed my stuff, and went to take a shower. At about 5:30 a.m., March 4 1999, the Officer-in-Charge came to my cell, and as usual, said, ‘Doctor, you are free o! And you have to leave my yard before 6:00 a.m.today. The Head of State and Commander-in-Chief, General Abdusalami Abubakar, has granted you and your colleagues a state pardon. Congratulations, sir.’”

“So, it was 25 years ago that I breathed the air of freedom. To God be the honour and glory and, of course, gratitude to Gen. Abubakar. Special thanks to all others on whichever sides of the divide they were during the struggle to establish a truly democratic government in our dear motherland, Nigeria. God bless the Nigerian military, my first love. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Fadile added that his account is to serve as a reminder of resilience, faith, and the triumph of justice over adversity.