A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and professor of law, Prof. Sebastine Hon (SAN), has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant a posthumous presidential pardon to the late Chief of Army Staff, Colonel Joseph Akaahan, in recognition of his distinguished service to Nigeria and the Nigerian Army.
In a letter dated October 17, 2025, and addressed to President Tinubu, Prof. Hon — who described himself as a concerned citizen of Benue State — chronicled the life, military achievements, and the circumstances surrounding the death of Col. Akaahan, Nigeria’s second Chief of Army Staff after then Col. Yakubu Gowon.
According to the letter, Col. Akaahan, appointed Chief of Army Staff in May 1967, played a pivotal role in key military operations during the Nigerian Civil War, particularly in the “Operation Sea-Borne” campaign led by Col. Benjamin Adekunle.
Prof. Hon narrated that on August 6, 1967, Col. Akaahan tragically died in a helicopter crash less than 20 kilometres from Gboko, Benue State, while en route to Lagos after a brief visit home from the warfront. Following his death, the military authorities reportedly concluded that he had embarked on an unauthorised trip and consequently posthumously dismissed him from service.
He lamented that despite his exemplary record, the dismissal has never been reversed — even though the Nigerian Army continues to honour his legacy, notably by naming the Joe Akaahan Military Cantonment in Makurdi after him.
“The immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja of blessed memory, even visited the Cantonment in 2024 to inaugurate a military hospital in his honour,” the SAN noted.
Prof. Hon urged President Tinubu to exercise his constitutional powers under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to grant Col. Akaahan a posthumous pardon — similar to the recent presidential clemency extended to 175 living and deceased Nigerians.
Quoting the State House publication of October 12, 2025, which announced those pardons, Hon argued that if individuals convicted of coup plotting, insurrection, and other serious offences could be forgiven, “then it is only just and humane to extend this hand of mercy to a gallant officer whose only alleged offence was dereliction of duty.”
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He added that with the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), confirming that the list of pardoned persons remains under review, now is the most appropriate time for President Tinubu to consider his appeal.
“Your Excellency shall be greatly blessed if this request is granted,” the letter concluded. “Kindly imagine the joy and healing it would bring to the family of the late Col. Akaahan and to the people of Benue State at large.”
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