June 12 Confession: CDHR Demands Prosecution Of Babangida Over Election Annulment 

By Oluronke Kuku

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, has demanded for the immediate prosecution of the former Nigerian Military Ruler, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, for his recent confession of his role in the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election won by the Late Chief MKO Abiola. 

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In a press statement released on Friday, February 21, 2025, and signed by the National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, Comrade Debo Adeniran, the Human Rights Organization described Babangida’s recent admission of his role in the election annulment as a “belated public confession” that is “an attempt to hoodwink the unwary Nigerians.”

The group insist that Babangida’s actions led to severe human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, political assassinations, and the suppression of press freedom. They argued that his actions meet the threshold of crimes against humanity, as they resulted in widespread human rights abuses and the repression of pro-democracy activists.

The CDHR called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order Babangida’s prosecution, stating that this should not be difficult since Babangida has confessed to these crimes in public and in writing.

Additionally, the group recommends that the national honors conferred on beneficiaries of the coup d’état, including late Chief Ernest Shonekan and late Gen. Sanni Abacha, be withdrawn, and that their benefits and physical belongings acquired during their illegal stay in office be confiscated.

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The CDHR also urged the Nigerian judiciary, anti-corruption agencies, and international human rights organizations to take decisive action in ensuring that justice is served, emphasizing that “justice for June 12 is justice for democracy.”

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