Sani Abacha
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Sani Abacha was a Nigerian military general who ruled the country as a dictator from 1993 until his death in 1998. His regime is remembered as one of Nigeria's most repressive periods, marked by human rights abuses, corruption, and the suppression of democratic freedoms.
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Sani Abacha GCFR (listen 20 September 1943 – 8 June 1998) was a Nigerian military dictator and statesman who ruled Nigeria as military head of state from 1993, following a palace coup d'état, until his death in 1998.
Abacha's seizure of power was the last successful coup d'état in Nigerian military history. He wielded power with an unyielding attitude and his rule heralded an unprecedented total disregard for human rights with several political assassinations and summary executions of dissidents and political opponents in Nigeria. His rule drew disrepute to the country with Nigeria becoming a pariah state in international relations particularly with regard to the execution of environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa.