Nigerian Army officer and politician, who served as the de facto president of Nigeria from 1993 to 1998. Abacha fought for Nigeria in the country's civil war against Biafra and rose through the army ranks. The Abacha regime came under worldwide condemnation after the execution of the Ogoni Nine including Ken Saro Wiwa. He was chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas). He died from a heart attack.