Nollywood actor, Daniel Etim-Effiong, has finally opened up about his father’s arrest and death sentence during Nigeria’s military era over alleged links to a coup plot against former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida.
Speaking during a discussion on the ‘Diary of a Naija Girl’ podcast, Etim-Effiong mentioned that the event took place when he was an infant.
According to the actor, his father got involved in the matter after a trusted military associate divulged details about intentions to oust the then Head of State, leaving him uncertain about what action to take.
He stated that when the scheme was revealed, the accomplice was taken into custody and brought up his father during questioning, resulting in his father’s arrest, trial, and conviction related to the case.
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Etim-Effiong mentioned that his father received a death sentence by firing squad but was reprieved on the scheduled execution day.
He referred to the result as surprising, mentioning that his father endured what seemed to be an unavoidable destiny.
The actor mentioned that the experience had a profound effect on his family and influenced his early life, as they carried the memory of that time
He said, “I was one year old when he was arrested for a coup against President Ibrahim Babangida. His best friend in the army had told him of plans that he had to kick Babangida out of power.
“And the big question became for him, should he tell on his friend or should he not tell on his friend?
“When the whole thing was leaked, my dad’s best friend was arrested, and they asked him, ‘Who did you tell about this coup plot?’ And he said he told my dad. My dad was arrested as well, and he was tried and sentenced to death by a firing squad. Miraculously, he survived that ordeal”.
