Lawyers Renew Calls For Babangida’s Prosecution Over June 12 Election Annulment
The release of former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida’s autobiography, A Journey in Service, has reignited controversy, with human rights activists and legal professionals demanding his prosecution for annulling the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Three decades after the historic election—widely considered Nigeria’s freest and fairest—the pain of its annulment remains. Babangida’s public admission of responsibility in his book launch last Thursday in Abuja has sparked renewed calls for justice, with critics insisting he must be held accountable.
The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) described the annulment as a “coup against democracy” and called on President Bola Tinubu to initiate legal proceedings. CDHR President Debo Adeniran emphasized that Babangida’s actions met the threshold for crimes against humanity, asserting that his confession should serve as grounds for prosecution.
“The illegal annulment of the June 12 election remains one of the gravest injustices in Nigerian history, undermining democracy and destabilizing the nation,” Adeniran stated.
Senior lawyers are divided on the issue. While some argue that Babangida’s admission is an opportunity for national reconciliation, others insist that justice must prevail.
Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, dismissed Babangida’s apology, stating, “I’m frankly not interested in IBB and his book apology. It won’t change what Nigerians are going through today.”
In contrast, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) commended Babangida’s admission of error, urging Nigerians to forgive him. “For years, IBB prevaricated, but now he has taken full responsibility. That is an act of courage and humility,” Ozekhome said.
However, Abiodun Olatunji (SAN) criticized past leaders for failing to correct the injustice. He accused them of revisionism, arguing that true reconciliation requires officially recognizing Chief MKO Abiola as the rightful winner of the election.
Femi Falana (SAN), a prominent human rights lawyer, vowed to take legal action against Babangida, citing human rights violations under his regime, including arbitrary arrests and the controversial execution of Major General Mamman Vatsa.
Falana further recalled how he and fellow activists—Chief Gani Fawehinmi and Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti—were imprisoned for publishing the election results Babangida refused to release. He also accused Babangida’s government of involvement in the assassination of journalist Dele Giwa.
Despite the outcry, some legal experts argue that prosecuting Babangida is unlikely. Senior lawyer Laolu Owolabi (SAN) pointed out that decrees issued under military rule grant immunity to former officers.
“The call for IBB’s prosecution may not succeed. Military decrees shield former leaders from legal action, and with Tinubu and other political figures openly supporting Babangida, he is unlikely to face prosecution,” Owolabi said.
As debates over Babangida’s legacy continue, the unresolved injustices of the June 12 annulment remain a stain on Nigeria’s democratic history. While some push for accountability, others believe the country must move on. The question remains: Can Nigeria truly heal without justice?
