1.
GV Nigeria House
0.08

2.
CU Col. Adekunle
1.31


TRANSCRIPT: SEQ. 2: REPORTER: Colonel Ojukwu has been ordered to leave the Ivory Coast. Is this because of any pressure from the Nigerian government?



ADEKUNLE: The Nigerian government doesn't pressurise anyone. We are only using a persuasive way of doing things. I don't think the government pressurises the Ivory Coast. The Ivory Coast is an independent country in her own right and we do comply with the character of the OAU.



REPORTER: Would you like to see Ojukwu back in Nigeria?



ADEKUNLE: I must tell you one thing - that Nigeria observes very much the fundamental human rights. If my comment on that, I don't think the Nigerian government will ever object to him coming, and I do sincerely say so.



REPORTER: Would he face charges if he did return to Nigeria?



ADEKUNLE: We shall leave that to time. No one has been charged so far to my knowledge.



REPORTER: In your future plans have you any idea to be a leader of the Nigerian state? Politically?



ADEKUNLE: That is too personal, I don't know. I wouldn't decide.



REPORTER: Do you intend to stay in the army?



ADEKUNLE: Of course I intend to., I have only eleven more years to do.



REPORTER: At the moment you have no political ambition?



ADEKUNLE: No ambition, no.



REPORTER: You are known as the Black Scorpion. do you object to this?



ADEKUNLE: It is just an ordinary nickname. My name is Benjamin Adekunle, that is all that I know.




Initials PBS/DW/OS/23.30 PBS/DW/OS/2342



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: One of the officers most responsible for the Federal Nigerian Army's victory over the secessionist Biafra, or Eastern Nigeria, Colonel Benjamin Adekunle, said in London today (Friday) that the leader of the secessionist forces, Colonel Ojukwu would be allowed to return to Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview, Colonel Adekunle denied suggestions that the Nigerian government had brought pressure on the Ivory Coast to expel Colonel Ojukwu (The Ivory Coast has asked Ojukwu to leave, on the grounds that Ojukwu breached an undertaking of his asylum in the Ivory Coast by giving an interview).

Colonel Adekunle led a number of the most successful attacks against the secessionist forces, and was responsible for the capture of Port Harcourt. He gained the nickname 'Black Scorpion' because of his military exploits. He was interviewed during a visit to the British capital.