KEY POINTS
- The lawyer Falana plans to take IBB to court about his 1993 detention and judicial process.
- The confession of errors by Babangida proves that June 12 annulment was unjust according to Falana.
- The Nigerian populace recognizes Abiola as president and Falana does not support official endorsement of his presidential status.
Femi Falana SAN from the Nigerian Bar Association has announced plans to sue Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) regarding his time in military custody and his criminal prosecution during the period of military rule.
The announcement by Falana comes after IBB published his book which contained his views about the June 12 1993 election cancellation.
Wrongful detention and legal battle
Falana spoke about his arrest and detention at the hands of Military law alongside late legal giant Chief Gani Fawehinmi as well as activist Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti for their refusal to accept the annulled election which history recognizes as the country’s most transparent.
The publication of election results became the reason for which we faced imprisonment. Babangida provided electoral corruption as his basis for cancellation although people widely considered the vote free and fair according to Falana.
The Nigerian head of state IBB himself authorized the decree that invalidated the election while he stealthily disbanded the Presidential Election Tribunal under Justice Bola Babalakin on June 26, 1993. Mass protests that originated from the Campaign for Democracy movement forced the military government to suppress its opponents. Falana alongside his colleagues received prison detention in Kuje Prison following their arrest under the terms of infamous Decree No. 2.
IBB’s admission and legal implications
The recent statement from Babangida that MKO Abiola won the presidential contest establishes the baselessness of the arrests according to Falana. He purposely imprisoned us and filed our prosecution even though now he wants to apologize for his actions. The fact that our prosecution was unjust revealed to him beforehand according to him.
The former prisoner has built a legal organization to fight against the illegitimate actions taken by military government. The confession by IBB establishes that our imprisonment brought not only harm but also constituting a violation of power. According to him the military authorities infringed upon our basic rights to freedom and democratic process and unrestricted movement.
Recognition of June 12 and presidential legitimacy
Falana dismissed any official recognition of MKO Abiola as president because Nigerian citizens had already recognized his electoral victory. During his interview Falana criticized IBB’s proposed presidential library establishment because he believes this structure could only be built by a legitimately elected president.
Former military presidents have never initiated the establishment of presidential libraries in Nigeria. What content do you intend to find in those pages? The people elect their president to lead the nation but military dictators never receive such democratic authority he explained.
Falana demands justice from IBB through his ongoing commitment to prosecute Babangida regarding the actions of his regime according to the self-confession of IBB.
