Veteran Nigerian comedian Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, widely known as Ali Baba, has shared a chilling account of how a lighthearted joke nearly cost him his life during the regime of former military leader Sani Abacha.
The 59-year-old entertainment icon revealed this harrowing experience during his recent appearance on the Leadership Podcast, detailing a close brush with death that occurred while performing at an event in Abuja during Abacha’s military rule.
“The first close encounter I had with death was with Sani Abacha. When Abacha was president; Ernest Shonekan had been removed, so I went to do an event in Abuja and it was time for the Akwa Ibom cultural group to perform,” Ali Baba recounted.
The comedian described how he noticed Abacha wearing his signature dark Rayban sunglasses at the event. In what he now acknowledges as a daring move, Ali Baba directly addressed the military ruler, saying, “Your Excellency, sir, it’s almost 10; why are you wearing dark shades? Don’t you want to see their performance? Remove this shade nah.”
While Abacha surprisingly complied with the request, the situation quickly turned tense. “He (Abacha) then removed the glasses and was talking to his aide. As soon as they started, I saw the DSS officers going backstage to wait for God knows who,” Ali Baba revealed, noting the immediate response from State Security Service operatives.
In a quick-thinking moment of self-preservation, rather than retreating backstage where the security officers waited, Ali Baba made an unconventional choice.
“I went down the stage to where Abacha was and sat on the ground next to him. He made jokes about me and asked why I refused to go backstage. I said, ‘Don’t worry, sir, they can come and arrest me here,'” he explained.
The Explainer learned, the incident took place during one of Nigeria’s darkest periods under Abacha’s iron-fisted rule from 1993 until his death in 1998.
Abacha’s regime was characterized by severe political repression, human rights violations, and notable corruption. His government was particularly infamous for the 1995 execution of activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, an action that led to Nigeria’s suspension from the Commonwealth.
The military leader died on June 8, 1998, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja and was buried the same day.
Ali Baba, who hails from a royal family in Warri, has since established himself as a cornerstone of Nigerian comedy. After graduating from Bendel State University, he moved to Lagos in 1990 to pursue his comedy career, quickly rising to prominence through corporate events and media appearances.
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His illustrious career has earned him numerous accolades, including the National Comedy Award. In 2012, he made history as the first Nigerian comedian to ring the Year End Closing Bell at the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Beyond stand-up comedy, he has ventured into acting, appearing in popular films such as ‘The Wedding Party’ and earning recognition on CNN’s African Voices.
Today, Ali Baba is happily married to Mary Akpobome. The couple has five children—three daughters and two sons—and recently welcomed triplets in April, adding to their growing family.
