Abacha, Sani

Abacha, Sani,

1943–98, Nigerian military officer and political leader, b. Kano. He received military training in Nigeria and England, joining the Nigerian army in 1963. Abacha participated in several coups, and under President Ibrahim BabangidaBabangida, Ibrahim
, 1941–, Nigerian military and political leader. After graduating (1963) from Nigeria's military college, he joined the army and received further training abroad.
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 he was appointed chief of army staff (1985) and minister of defense (1990). In Aug., 1993, following a crisis in which President Babangida annulled the results of the June presidential election, Ernest ShonekanShonekan, Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde,
1936–, Nigerian businessman and political leader, b. Lagos. He received a law degree in 1962 from the Univ. of London and joined the United African Company in 1964, becoming chairman and chief executive in 1980.
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 was installed as interim head of state. Abacha, who had remained defense minister, seized power in November. Abacha suppressed political activity and press freedoms and jailed leading political figures, and he and his family were accused after his death of defrauding the country of billions of dollars (some of which was ultimately recovered). Abacha died in office and was succeeded by General Abdulsalam AbubakarAbubakar, Abdulsalam Alhaji,
1942–, Nigerian military officer and political leader, b. Minna, Niger State. He served in the Nigerian air force (1963–67) and army (1967–99), achieving the rank of general and becoming defense chief.
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.