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Justice Delayed: The Imperative for Accountability in the Wake of Ibrahim Babangida’s Autobiography
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By Dr Gabriel Nwambu
**Abstract**
The launch of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s autobiography, “A Journey in Service,” on February 20, 2025, at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, marks a critical juncture in Nigeria’s political narrative.
While the book offers insights into Babangida’s life, his controversial past raises urgent questions about accountability, justice, and the prospects for Nigeria’s future.
As Nigeria seeks to grapple with its historical challenges, the call for Babangida to face consequences for his actions has never been more pertinent. This paper examines the need for accountability as crucial not only for justice but also for the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic foundation.
**Introduction**
Ibrahim Babangida’s persona as a leader encapsulates a troubling chapter in Nigeria’s history. Celebrated by some as a political strategist, his tenure as military head of state is also marked by egregious violations of civil rights and democratic principles. This analysis interrogates the implications of Babangida’s actions throughout his rule, particularly regarding deep-seated issues such as betrayal, the nullification of free elections, and the need for restorative justice in Nigeria.
**The Dark Legacy of Betrayal: The Execution of General Mamman Vasta**
A significant chapter in Babangida’s narrative is the betrayal of General Mamman Vasta, a man he once considered a closest friend. Their relationship, characterized by intimate gestures such as exchanging clothing, was shattered when Babangida accused Vasta of plotting a coup and ordered his execution. The pleas from respected figures in Nigerian society failed to dissuade Babangida from this decision, reflecting a chilling disregard for human life and friendship. The implications of this act extend beyond personal betrayal; they symbolize the treachery embedded within the political fabric of leadership in Nigeria, raising critical questions about loyalty and morality among those in power.
Babangida’s precarious ascent to leadership came through a coup d’état, overthrowing General Muhammadu Buhari, and establishing a regime characterized by manipulation and coercion. Despite ruling with an iron fist, he demanded respect as a democratically elected president, a title that contradicted the reality of his rise to power and governance. The duality of Babangida’s nature as both a strategist and a tyrant complicates the narrative, leading to a legacy fraught with contradictions and injustices.
**The Cynical Nullification of the 1993 Democratic Elections**
One of the most grievous acts of Babangida’s presidency was the denial of the results of the June 12, 1993, elections, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigerian history, won by Chief Moshood Abiola. Nigeria had, for the first time, expressed its democratic will, and yet Babangida nullified the election, leading to a national crisis and significant unrest. The repercussions of this decision continue to resonate across generations, undermining trust in democratic processes and institutions. The tragic outcomes included the untimely deaths of pro-democracy activists, such as Kudirat Abiola, and an atmosphere of political hostility that set Nigeria on the brink of civil strife.
The key players and contributors to this crisis, including Babangida himself, are now deceased, including figures like Professor Humphrey Nwosu and General Sani Abacha. As Babangida now seeks to narrate his perspective from a wheelchair, the timing of the revelations seems more an exercise in self-justification rather than a sincere pursuit of truth and reconciliation.
**The Need for Accountability: A Call to Action**
As Civil Rights Organizations advocate, “A New Nigeria is Possible.” This ideal hinges upon confronting the past and demanding accountability.
Babangida’s actions warrant scrutiny not for the purpose of vengeance but as a vital component of a healing process that Nigerian society so desperately needs. It is essential that those who wielded power and exercised it with impunity face the full weight of the law. Only then can Nigeria embark on a path to genuine democracy, lifting the embers of a fractured past toward a cohesive future.
Moreover, the staggering sum of ₦17 billion raised during the launch of Babangida’s autobiography in a country struggling financially highlights a disconnection between wealth and accountability. This disparity poses a fundamental question about the values that the Nigerian elite perpetuate and the societal implications of such actions.
**Conclusion**
Babangida’s autobiography opens a window into a complex saga of Nigeria’s history, intertwining personal narrative with profound political consequences. However, it does not absolve the former leader from the weight of his legacy, marked by betrayal and the systematic dismantling of democracy. As Nigeria looks to reforge its identity and re-establish its governance structures, it stands as an imperative for the nation to confront its past injustices head-on. To pave the way for a better future, Ibrahim Babangida must face the law, not merely as a pursuit of justice but as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s commitment to democracy, accountability, and human rights for all. Until that day arrives, the specter of an unaddressed past will continue to haunt Nigeria’s political landscape.
Nwambu Gabriel, Ph.D.
The Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and the Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has rubbished reports circulating on social media alleging that he conferred a chieftaincy title on popular Nollywood actor and comedian, James Olanrewaju, popularly known as Baba Ijesha.
In a statement on Saturday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare said the Ooni clarified that although he warmly received the actor and his wife at the Ile Oodua Palace on Wednesday to celebrate the birth of his son and presented him with a brand-new car and cash gifts as a demonstration of his fatherly love and royal generosity, no chieftaincy title was conferred on him.
According to him, the expression “Awada Konge Oduwa,” which Baba Ijesha later described on his social media pages as a chieftaincy title, was merely a light-comedy remark made by the Ooni during a relaxed interaction in recognition of the actor’s outstanding career as a comedian.
The remark was never intended to constitute a formal installation or conferment of a traditional title.
The Ooni noted that Baba Ijesha, as an indigene of Ile-Ife and a proud son of the source, is deserving of honour and could be considered for a chieftaincy title in the future.
However, no such title has been conferred on him.
“The conferment of chieftaincy titles in Ile-Ife remains a sacred traditional process governed by established customs, consultations and traditional rites, which are publicly conducted in accordance with the age-long traditions of the source. None of these customary procedures took place during the actor’s visit to the Palace, “he said.
While appreciating Baba Ijesha for acknowledging the royal kindness extended to him and his family, the Ooni urged media organisations and members of the public to disregard reports claiming that the actor has been installed as the “Awada Konge Oduwa” or conferred with any chieftaincy title.
The Ooni reaffirmed his commitment to celebrating and supporting deserving sons and daughters of Ile-Ife and the Oodua race at large while preserving the sanctity, dignity and integrity of the revered traditional institution of chieftaincy.
The Presidency has called on security and anti-graft agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute government officials who may have collaborated with Prince Matthew Adeniyi Adeyemi in the alleged operation of two fictitious federal government agencies.
Adeyemi is accused of creating the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council using allegedly forged documents purportedly linked to the Presidency.
In a statement on his verified X handle, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said investigators must go beyond Adeyemi and expose the internal network that allegedly enabled him to operate for an extended period.
Ajayi urged the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate all officials within public institutions who may have aided the alleged scheme.
According to Ajayi, much of the public debate has ignored the fact that government institutions detected the alleged fraud and acted on it.
He said officials of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, working with officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, first discovered inconsistencies in Adeyemi’s operations and reported the matter to the appropriate authorities.
“Contrary to the anything-goes narrative being promoted, it was the system itself that raised the red flag and dealt with it administratively,” Ajayi said.
He, however, acknowledged that the suspect could not have operated for long without help from insiders.
“What is not in doubt is that internal collaborators enabled Adeyemi to get this far. That is precisely what investigators from the DSS, the Police and the EFCC must now unravel.
“The criminal network within the affected institutions must be dismantled and everyone found to have played a role should be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
The Presidency had earlier disowned the disowned the two organisations, insisting that they did not exist as government agencies.
It also maintained that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, neither authorised Adeyemi’s activities nor had any connection with them.
“In Nigeria, the easiest and most believable allegation anyone can throw at a public officer is corruption.
“Once that accusation is thrown into the mix, the water is polluted, the lines are blurred and everyone is kept busy arguing over distractions rather than the real issues,” he wrote.
He described Adeyemi as “an irredeemable con artist” who was using allegations against the Chief of Staff as “his last straw” to avoid criminal liability.
The Presidency insisted that the case should not be framed as evidence of complicity at the highest levels of government, but as an alleged fraud uncovered by the system itself.
Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Abuja Region has announced a planned preventive maintenance at the Katampe 132/33 KiloVolt (kV) Transmission Substation on Saturday from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
General Manager, Public Affairs of the TCN, Mrs Ndidi Mbah, made this announcement in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.
Mbah said the scheduled maintenance is to enable TCN’s maintenance crew carry out preventive maintenance on the 100 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA) 132/33kV Power Transformer (TR1), its auxiliaries, and associated switchgear in the substation.
”Consequently, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, will be unable to off-take bulk power for distribution to customers in parts of Mpape, Maitama, Jahi, Life Camp,
”Others are Kado Fish Market, Idu-Karmo, and their environs during the maintenance period,” she said.
According to her, the company regrets any inconvenience the planned outage may cause electricity customers in the affected areas.
She added that equipment maintenance is essential to ensure their continued optimal performance.
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