Lawrence Nomayagbon Anini, popularly called “The Law” and “Ovbigbo,” was not an ordinary man. He was something akin to an underworld enigma. His name instilled fear in the minds of the populace, but surprisingly, it instilled even greater fear in the minds of security agents at the time.
As a young boy growing up in Benin City, there were many myths surrounding the personality of Lawrence Anini. Some said he could vanish into thin air. Others claimed he could drive a car in reverse mode from Benin to Sapele. Lawrence Anini’s accomplices included Monday Osunbor, Friday Ofege, Smallie, Henry Ekponwan, Alhaji Zed Zed, and others. DSP Iyamu was alleged to be an enabler of his activities.
In those days in Benin City, hearing that someone had been arrested at the State CID was a very big deal. Fear and anxiety would grip everyone, as being detained there was akin to being taken to Alcatraz Prison. It was seen as the highest level of engagement with the State, and people often went to great lengths to avoid the perils of being arrested at the State CID.
At the time, a rumour circulated that it was the killing of a particular armed robber that triggered the Anini crisis. This armed robber was said to be very powerful and dominant in the underworld but was arrested by a popular police officer, who was rumoured to carry those he had killed at random in his booth. The police officer himself was powerful and allegedly had links with the underworld. The agreement, it was said, was that the arrested armed robber would not be killed—but he was.
This incident allegedly triggered a wave of killings of policemen across Benin City. The situation became so dire that police officers carried their uniforms in polythene bags, as wearing a police uniform during the Anini saga was effectively a death warrant.
From August 1986 to December 1986, Lawrence Anini and his gang dominated crime and criminality in Bendel, Anambra, and Ondo States in Nigeria. Their modus operandi was brazen, audacious, and grisly. Lawrence Anini was also seen by some as a “Robin Hood.” He carried out well-planned and well-executed bank robberies that often resulted in fatal casualties, after which he shared money with market women in broad daylight at places such as Oba Market and Ekiosa Market.
His activities generated national attention to the extent that The Guardian Newspapers of Nigeria published an editorial titled “Will They Ever Find Lawrence Anini?”
Even the then Commissioner of Police, Akagbosu, was shot on Erie Street along Sakponba Road, Benin City, and had to be flown abroad for treatment. Lawrence Anini also attacked the convoy of an Assistant Inspector General of Police. The situation reportedly contributed to the resignation of the then Inspector General of Police, Etim Inyang, following an altercation at Dodan Barracks with the then Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida.
The Inspector General of Police who succeeded him, IGP Mohammed Gambo-Jimeta, sent the then Commissioner of Police, Parry Osayande—an indigene of Benin City from the Palace of the Oba of Benin—to end the embarrassing situation. DIG Parry Osayande (rtd.) took charge, and within weeks, Lawrence Anini was in police custody, with a woman reportedly playing a significant role in his arrest.
The Arrest of Lawrence Anini and Monday Osunbor
The arrest of Lawrence Anini, his second-in-command Monday Osunbor, and other members of the gang sparked widespread jubilation on the streets of Benin City. The city breathed a collective sigh of relief following the dismantling of the underworld value chain that had brought life to a standstill.
The Trial
The trial of Lawrence Anini became a judicial soap opera. It took place before the Justice James Omo-Agege Bendel State Armed Robbery and Firearms Tribunal. Many lawyers avoided the case, but some chose the road less travelled—among them Ademola Oshokor and Dr. Osaheni Uzamere. They defended some of the defendants with remarkable brilliance, prompting the Chairman of the Panel to remark:
“No quantum of brilliance of speech will take the place of evidence.”
In his 33-page judgment, which took 80 minutes to deliver, Hon. Justice James Omo-Agege held thus:
“Anini will forever be remembered in the history of crime in this country, but it would be of unblessed memory.”
At the end of the trial, all the accused were convicted and sentenced to death by firing squad.
From the Benin Prison, they were taken in a Black Maria, and on the way, they reportedly sang the popular Benin gospel song:
“Ukpo kpo kpa gon lo le gamen…”
On 29 March 1987, they were executed. Knowing it was their last day on earth, they reportedly gave their lives to Christ. A huge crowd gathered at Ekenwan Barracks, where they were shot at the shooting range by marksmen of the Nigerian Army. Their bodies were allegedly later sent to medical students at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital as cadavers for anatomical studies.
It was the end of an era. The town found peace. It is a story that must be told to another generation.
This is the Lawrence Anini Saga.
About the Author
Douglas Ogbankwa Esq. is the Convener of the Security Situation Room.
(Excerpts from the book “Tales from Benin” by Douglas Ogbankwa Esq. – @douglasogbankwa@gmail.com)
