On October 18, 1965, a striking headline appeared on the front page of the Daily Times of Nigeria: “Wole Soyinka Wanted.”
The declaration shocked many Nigerians. Wole Soyinka was not a criminal figure but a university lecturer, playwright, poet, and public intellectual, already well known for his sharp criticism of political corruption and authoritarianism.
The episode became one of the most dramatic intersections between Nigerian literature, politics, and state power in the years leading up to the country’s first military coup.
Historical Background
In 1965, Nigeria was still under the First Republic, a period marked by intense political rivalry, particularly in the Western Region. The region was engulfed in electoral violence and constitutional crises following disputed elections and the power struggle between political factions loyal to Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, the Premier of Western Nigeria.
Wole Soyinka, then a lecturer at the University of Lagos, was a vocal critic of political dishonesty and electoral manipulation. His activism often placed him at odds with the authorities.
The NBC Incident
According to contemporary reports, an unknown gunman entered the studios of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in Ibadan. The intruder seized a pre-recorded broadcast by Premier S. L. Akintola and replaced it with an alternative message calling for political sanity and condemning electoral fraud.
Although Soyinka denied being the gunman, the authorities alleged that he was involved in the act or had prior knowledge of it. This accusation led to a nationwide police search.
Declaration as a “Wanted Person”
On Monday, October 18, 1965, the Daily Times published the headline declaring Soyinka wanted by the police. The paper identified him as:
A lecturer at the University of Lagos
A suspect connected to the NBC broadcast seizure
A person sought in relation to charges of treason and theft
The announcement effectively turned one of Nigeria’s leading intellectuals into a public fugitive.
Arrest and Trial
Soyinka was eventually arrested and charged with treasonable felony and theft. The charges were serious and carried severe penalties under Nigerian law.
However, during the trial:
Witness testimonies were contradictory
Evidence linking Soyinka directly to the NBC studio intrusion was weak
The prosecution failed to establish intent or direct involvement beyond reasonable doubt
As a result, Soyinka was acquitted, and the case collapsed.
Significance of the Episode
The 1965 “wanted” declaration is historically important for several reasons:
It illustrates the shrinking space for dissent in Nigeria’s First Republic
It highlights the role of intellectuals in resisting political manipulation
It foreshadows the political instability that culminated in the January 1966 military coup
For Soyinka personally, the episode cemented his reputation as a fearless critic of authoritarianism—a trait that would later lead to his imprisonment during the Nigerian Civil War.
Later Legacy
Wole Soyinka went on to become:
Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature (1986)
One of the most influential writers and political voices in the Global South
The 1965 Daily Times headline remains a powerful reminder that Nigeria once labeled one of its greatest minds a criminal simply for challenging power.
Sources
Daily Times of Nigeria, October 18, 1965
Wole Soyinka, You Must Set Forth at Dawn (Autobiography)
Biodun Jeyifo, Wole Soyinka: Politics, Poetics, and Postcolonialism
Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation historical records
Obaro Ikime (ed.), Groundwork of Nigerian History
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