Nigerian actor and producer Daniel Etim Effiong has opened up about a traumatic chapter in his family’s history, revealing that his father was once tried for treason during the military era of Ibrahim Babangida.
Speaking during a podcast appearance, Effiong recounted how his father was accused of involvement in a coup plot against the then Head of State. He also disclosed that the crisis had devastating consequences for his family, including the loss of his mother during the period.
According to the actor, he was just a year old when his father was arrested and put on trial. Much of what he now knows about the incident, he said, comes from a book written by his father documenting the experience.
Effiong explained that the situation stemmed from a difficult decision involving his father and a close associate in the military. The friend had allegedly confided in him about plans to remove Babangida from power. When the plot was uncovered and arrests were made, the friend reportedly named Effiong’s father during interrogation.
This led to his father’s arrest, trial, and eventual death sentence by firing squad. However, he survived the ordeal and was later released in 1993, shortly before Babangida exited power.
Years later, the case took a different turn. Effiong revealed that in 2020, during the administration of Muhammadu Buhari, his father received a presidential pardon. The pardon also restored his rank and entitlements, including outstanding benefits.
The actor’s account sheds light on the personal toll of Nigeria’s military-era political tensions, highlighting how such events continue to shape the lives of families decades after they occur.
