Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has called on the Federal Government to reopen investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of late Chief M.K.O. Abiola while he was in government custody in 1998.
Falana, who represented the Abiola family before the Oputa Panel on Human Rights Abuse, said several questions surrounding the former presidential candidate’s death remain unresolved and deserve fresh investigation.
Abiola, widely regarded as the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, was arrested and detained by the military government of General Sani Abacha after declaring himself president in 1994.
He remained in custody for about four years before his death on July 7, 1998, shortly after meeting a visiting American delegation.
Falana Questions Circumstances Surrounding Abiola’s Death
According to Falana, concerns had already been raised about Abiola’s health during his detention.
He recalled that Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who visited Nigeria in April 1998, had expressed concern about Abiola’s deteriorating condition and called for his release so he could receive proper medical care.
Falana said the circumstances surrounding Abiola’s death were later examined by the Oputa Panel, which was established by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration to investigate human rights abuses during Nigeria’s years of military rule.
He noted that former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar declined to appear before the panel to explain his role in events surrounding Abiola’s detention and death.
‘Fresh Investigation Needed’
Falana also referenced Abubakar’s autobiography, Call of Duty, in which the former military leader rejected claims that Abiola was poisoned and relied on an autopsy conducted by foreign pathologists that reportedly attributed the death to natural causes.
However, Falana argued that the medical findings did not answer all the questions surrounding Abiola’s treatment while in custody.
He pointed to evidence presented before the Oputa Panel concerning the security arrangements during the meeting between Abiola and the American delegation shortly before his death.
Falana said a security officer who had been responsible for Abiola’s protection testified that he routinely tasted food, water and tea before they were served to the detained politician.
According to Falana, the officer was removed from his duty post on the day the American delegation visited Abiola.
He also cited evidence concerning tea that was served to Abiola during the meeting, saying the circumstances raised questions that deserved further examination.
Oputa Panel Recommendation
Falana said the Oputa Panel concluded that the government of the time knew more about the circumstances surrounding Abiola’s death than it had disclosed.
He said the panel linked Abiola’s death to his prolonged incarceration and lack of adequate medical attention, while describing the circumstances surrounding his death as suspicious.
Falana said the panel had recommended a thorough investigation to establish what caused Abiola’s death.
He believes that recommendation remains relevant more than two decades later.
“The Federal Government should, without any further delay, reopen investigation into the case,” Falana said.
According to the lawyer, a fresh investigation would help provide Nigerians with a clearer and more definitive account of what happened to Abiola while he was in government custody.
