It is certainly not going to be well with Former Military Dictator,General Ibrahim Babangida’s (retd.)as some Nigerians who suffered injustice under his regime have called for his prosecution.
In separate interviews as obtained by Newsstarlet from Punch News have it that the survivors and family members of some victims recounted their ordeals during the administration of Babangida and called for his trial in court.
In his autobiography, ‘A Journey of Service’, launched on February 20, 2025, the former military ruler gave a personal account of his regime, which began on August 27, 1985 and lasted till August 26, 1993.
While his government was noted for heavy crackdown on opposition, Nigerians rose against the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election won by late Moshood Abiola.
In a series of riots that broke out after the controversial decision, no fewer than 100 Nigerians were reportedly killed by security agents.
Although Babangida has not been directly linked to the death by parcel bomb of investigative journalist, Dele Giwa, on October 19, 1986, the victim was said to have been assassinated by the state.
The regime also shut down many media houses, including Newswatch Magazine, The Guardian, and PUNCH Newspapers. PUNCH Newspapers, in particular, had been outspoken in its criticism of the corruption, human rights violations and mismanagement of funds by Babangida.
He also sanctioned some executions, including the killing of his childhood friend, General Mamman Vatsa.
Many pro-democracy and human rights activists, journalists and lawyers, including Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Alao-Aka-Bashorun, Femi Falana, SAN, Femi Aborisade, Debo Adeniran, Kunle Ajibade, were also incarcerated for protesting the June 12 annulment.
Some of the survivors said the ex-general did not deserve the funfair that heralded the launch of his book.
The President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Adeniran, said Babangida should be punished for his crimes.
He stated that IBB’s confession did not exonerate him from the crimes.
“I was detained during the early days of the June 12 protests alongside Chima Ubani, Ebun Adegoruwa, and other comrades by Babangida. We were protesting in Ikeja when they arrested us and took us to Area F. We were remanded in prison by the Magistrate’s Court, Flower Garden, in Ebute Meta, Lagos.
“The June 12 annulment was like a coup d’état. He rebelled against the state and committed crimes against humanity. A lot of people were killed, imprisoned, and sent into exile. People also died mysteriously, such as Dele Giwa, Kudirat Abiola, Alfred Rewane, and many others, as a result of the fallout of the annulment.
“Babangida has a lot to say, which he has not said. He caused a lot of disharmony among the people. He should be prosecuted,” he stated.
Commenting on the ex-general’s book, Aborisade said Babangida should be in prison for the rest of his life.
The pro-democracy activist, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH, said the former head of state was not sincere in his regrets, adding that he damaged the country.
He said, “IBB is a tyrannical villain who should be tried for annulling the democratic electoral choice of the Nigerian people in the June 12 presidential election. IBB sheds crocodile tears. He is insincere in his so-called regrets. He has done incalculable damage to societal development.”
Aborisade maintained that the June 12 annulment was a disservice to Nigerians, as it had caused untold deaths and bloodshed.
“Nigerians should reject IBB and all the evil that his regime represents. The annulment of the June 12 presidential election remains a monumental disservice to Nigerian society. The struggle against the annulment has caused untold bloodshed, deaths, maiming, killings, and brutalisation.
Recounting his ordeal under Babangida’s regime, Falana said the ex-general detained him and other students for speaking up against his government.
He said Babangida deliberately killed Vatsa, contrary to the claim that the late soldier was involved in a coup.
“I was left in detention. Late Yinka Odumakin and others were expelled from the universities in Ife and Nsukka. Some students were taken to a tribunal, and I defended them.
“I was left in detention. Late Yinka Odumakin and others were expelled from the universities in Ife and Nsukka. Some students were taken to a tribunal, and I defended them.
“The law Babangida used to kill Vatsa was created while Vatsa was in detention. It was plain murder. Contrary to what he said, he issued 15 decrees to justify the annulment (of June 12), not Abacha. He claimed that Abacha was planning a coup against him and that he did not kill him, but he killed Vatsa,” he said.
In her comments, Bashorun’s daughter, Morayo Brown, a TV personality, said Babangida deserved to be prosecuted for annulling the June 12 election.
She disclosed that her father made efforts to ensure that Babangida faced justice for his crimes before his death.
Brown queried President Bola Tinubu’s merriment with a man that tormented her father.
