Even as the body of Nigeria's late Opposition leader Moshood Abiola arrived early on Saturday at his home in Lagos, around which riot police had been deployed, NBC Television reported that the late Nigerian dictator General Sani Abacha may have been poisoned while cavorting with three prostitutes.Abacha's sudden June 8 death was reportedly due to a heart attack. But US officials speaking on condition of anonymity told NBC they have ``credible'' information that Abacha was murdered by political rivals.
The poison was purportedly given to Abacha, 53, in a glass of orange juice while he was romping with three young prostitutes at a minister's house, the television newscast reported. The story, though colorful, does not convince everyone. Top US officials toldThe New York Times that the reports were only ``semi-credible'' and not ``definitive evidence,'' according to a story.
Rumours that Abacha was poisoned while drinking juice, eating an apple or even testing Viagra have been swirling aroundNigeria for weeks, the newspaper noted.
If the poisoning story proves to be true it raises concerns about the sudden death of Moshood Abiola, the country's most high-profile political prisoner and likely winner of the 1993 presidential elections.
Though Abacha was quickly buried without an autopsy, the Nigerian Government has offered to conduct a post-mortem of Abiola's body under international supervision.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
