According to a report by The Punch, renowned human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has revealed that his decision to take legal action against former military head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida, has received widespread support from progressive lawyers and human rights organizations across Nigeria. Falana, known for his unwavering stance on justice and accountability, made this disclosure while addressing the media.
The senior lawyer emphasized that since he made his intentions public, numerous legal practitioners and civil rights groups have reached out to express their solidarity with his cause. According to Falana, the legal action aims to hold Babangida accountable for alleged human rights violations that occurred during his military regime. He believes that justice must be served for the victims of past injustices.
“Since I announced my intention to sue General Babangida, several progressive lawyers have called to register their support, while the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights has undertaken to compile a comprehensive list of the victims of the egregious human rights violations carried out by Babangida,” Falana stated.
Falana, who has long been vocal about historical injustices, recounted some of the alleged atrocities that occurred under Babangida’s rule. He referenced specific incidents that have remained controversial in Nigeria’s history, particularly those involving extrajudicial killings and suppression of opposition voices.
One of the key issues he highlighted was the execution of military officers accused of plotting a coup against Babangida’s government. Falana strongly condemned the manner in which these executions were carried out, stating that they were based on a decree hastily enacted to justify the killings.
“General Mamman Vatsa and other military officers were executed under a treason decree promulgated by Babangida after they had been arrested and detained for a rumoured coup,” Falana reminded the public. He argued that these actions were part of a broader pattern of authoritarian rule that disregarded fundamental human rights.
Another case Falana brought to light was the assassination of prominent journalist Dele Giwa, who was killed by a parcel bomb in 1986. This case remains one of Nigeria’s most infamous political assassinations, with many still demanding justice decades later.
“A parcel bomb was used to kill the renowned journalist Dele Giwa. It has been repeatedly confirmed by the Court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) that a member state is held liable if it fails to investigate the murder of a resident of the community,” he stated.
According to Falana, the Nigerian government at the time failed to conduct a proper investigation into Giwa’s death, allowing the perpetrators to evade justice. He further accused Babangida’s administration of actively obstructing efforts to uncover the truth behind the journalist’s murder.
“We have abundant evidence to prove that the Babangida military junta not only frustrated the investigation of Dele Giwa’s killing but also obstructed Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, from prosecuting the suspected killers,” Falana asserted.
The legal luminary expressed his determination to ensure that past human rights violations are not forgotten and that those responsible are held accountable. He believes that taking legal action against Babangida is a crucial step toward setting a precedent for justice in Nigeria.
Many Nigerians have reacted to Falana’s stance, with some commending his commitment to justice while others question whether legal proceedings against a former head of state can yield tangible results. However, Falana remains resolute, stating that the pursuit of justice should not be limited by political or historical considerations.
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