Shehu Musa Yar'Adua dies in custody

General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, a former military leader and prominent politician, died in Abakaliki Prison in December 1997 while serving a life sentence. He had been imprisoned since 1995 following his conviction in a military tribunal for allegedly plotting a coup against General Sani Abacha's government. Yar'Adua was among several high-ranking military officers and civilians accused of treason in what became known as the 1995 phantom coup case.

Yar'Adua had served as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters during the Murtala Mohammed and Olusegun Obasanjo military governments from 1975-1979, playing a key role in Nigeria's transition to civilian rule. After retiring from the military, he became active in politics and was seen as a potential presidential candidate. His arrest came during a period when Abacha was consolidating power and eliminating perceived threats to his rule, with many observers questioning the legitimacy of the coup allegations.