Nigerian Morning Post: Sunday, November 3, 1962 Price: Two Pence

Headline: Awolowo (and Thirty Others) Charged with Treason

Image Description: The photo depicts Chief Obafemi Awolowo, surrounded by police officers, having a final conversation with his wife before being escorted to prison. Alongside him in the van were some of the 30 other individuals accused.

Off to Broad Street Prison:
Among those charged with treason and present in court alongside Chief Awolowo and Dr. Chike Obi were:

Mr. S. Tarka – Leader of the United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC) and a Federal Member of Parliament (MP)
Mr. Gabriel Ekewejunor-Etchie – Minister in the suspended Government of Western Nigeria
Mr. M.A. Omishade – Federal MP
Dr. Oladipo Akinwunmi Maja – Son of the “Father of the Action Group”
Mr. V. Bisi Onabanjo – Lagos Journalist
Mr. Lateef Jakande – Lagos Journalist

This was a highly significant event in Nigerian political history, marking the beginning of a major trial that would lead to Awolowo’s imprisonment. He and the others were accused of plotting to overthrow the federal government during a period of intense political rivalry in the newly independent Nigeria.

Credit: asirimagazine