EXCLUSIVE: Obasanjo ‘confiscates’ own book

Those eager to get copies of “My Watch”, the three-book memoirs of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, will have to wait for longer as the author has “confiscated” the printed copies until a court order is vacated.

An Abuja high court had on December 5 issued an order that the book should not be published or promoted following a motion on notice filed by Kashamu Buruji, who complained that he was libelled in the publication.

But Obasanjo went ahead with the public presentation and Justice Valentine Ashi, in ruling that the former head of state was guilty of contempt, directed the inspector general of police, director-general of State Security Service and comptroller-general of Nigeria Customs Services to confiscate the book.

He also ordered that copies be seized from media houses, apparently to prevent the publication of excerpts.

The security agencies, however, will not gain access to the copies as the former president now has them under lock and key.

“Baba (Obasanjo) does not want any copy of the book confiscated by any government agency so he asked the publishers to hand them over to him,” a former minister and friend of the retired general told TheCable.

Only those who got copies at the book presentation currently have the publication as many Nigerians are eager to read the memoirs.

“He is in court to get the order vacated, after which he will release the book to the enthusiastic public,” the source added.

Five governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had visited Obasanjo, unsuccessfully trying to persuade him to delay the release of the book till after the February 2015 elections because of the strong criticism of the President Goodluck Jonathan contained in it.

TheCable has run excerpts from chapters relating to President Goodluck Jonathan, late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Nuhu Ribadu and Iyabo Obasanjo.

At the court hearing, Realwan Okpanachi, counsel to Obasanjo, had told the court that the book was published before the order was granted.

He said the book had been in circulation since November and the order was made on December 5.

Alex Izinyo, counsel to Buruji, said the defendant was trying to deceive the court.

Izinyo argued that the defendant admitted in his motion papers that the book was published on November 10 and in another paragraph, it was also stated that the book was published on November 2.

Ashi adjourned to January 13 and 14, 2015, for hearing of the substantive case.