Femi Falana, a renowned human rights lawyer, has vowed to take legal action against former Military President Ibrahim Babangida for violating his fundamental human rights and those of others during his regime.
Falana plans to challenge the malicious prosecution he and his colleagues faced, including their detention and trial for opposing the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.
Falana recounted how he, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, and Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti were arrested, detained, and charged with unlawful assembly, conspiracy, and sedition.
He emphasized that their prosecution was a deliberate attempt to silence them and suppress the protests against the military regime.
Falana also criticized Babangida’s refusal to apologize for the annulment of the June 12 election, stating that it demonstrates a lack of accountability.
He noted that Babangida’s admission that the election was free and fair, and that MKO Abiola won, is a clear indication that their prosecution was unjust.
The human rights lawyer further alleged that the IBB regime was responsible for the tragic death of journalist Dele Giwa and the subsequent cover-up. He stated that the government’s response to Giwa’s murder was part of a larger pattern of impunity.
Falana has assembled a legal team to seek redress for the wrongful prosecution and human rights violations he and others suffered during Babangida’s regime.