Barrister Olumide Braithwaite has lashed out at former President Olusegun Obasanjo for comments his family described as unsavoury about his late father, Tunji Braithwaite.
He described his father as a man who was dedicated to the fight for democracy in Nigeria. He added that his father’s strong commitment to justice and democratic governance inspired many, including the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi and other activists.
Speaking in a video shared by Symfoni TV, Olumide disclosed that in 1990, after the failed Gideon Orkar coup, his father was arrested and detained by the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida. He recalled that the very house, where the press conference was taking place, was once stormed by two truckloads of heavily armed soldiers in the middle of the night. He said they forcefully took his father away to an unknown location
Olumide said his father’s only crime was simply speaking out against the regime. He said his father was falsely accused of being involved in the coup, a charge that was meant to silence his criticism of the government.
In Olumide’s words: “This house, the venue of this press conference, witnessed two truck load of heavily armed soldiers that stormed the premises in the middle of the night to whisk away Tunji Braithwaite to an unknown location”
He added that his family reserves the right to seek legal redress and is not demanding an apology but expect the former military and civilian ruler to search his conscience and do the right thing. Olumide added that the family called the conference to set the records straight regarding his father’s sentiment towards Obasanjo and all past military rulers.
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