Oladipo Diya, the former chief of general staff under Sani Abacha, the military head of state, has passed away.

Diya passed away at 79 years old.

“On behalf of the family, Lawyer Prince Oyesinmilola Diya released a statement on Sunday confirming his death.

“We announce the passing on to Glory of our dear Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Lt-General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (Rtd) GCON, LLB, BL, PSC, FSS, mni on behalf of the whole Diya family, both at home and abroad.

The late general of the armed forces and attorney was born on April 3, 1944, in Odogbolu, Ogun State, southwest Nigeria.

From 1950 until 1956, Mr. Diya attended the Yaba Methodist School in Lagos. He then enrolled as one of the first students of the Odogbolu Grammar School.

From 1994 to 1997, the dead held the position of Chief of General Staff, acting as Sani Abacha’s vice president and military head of state. Before, from January 1984 to August 1985, he held the positions of military governor of Ogun State and Chief of Defence Staff.

As Mr. Abacha’s deputy, Mr. Diya was accused of hatching a plot to overthrow him. A military tribunal appointed by the late dictator and kleptocrat then imprisoned Mr. Diya, tried him, and found him guilty.

He was given a death sentence by the panel, however Mr. Abacha unexpectedly passed away before the decision could be carried out. Later, the General Abdusalami Abubakar administration that succeeded Abacha’s released Mr. Diya.