The Patriot Institute of Journalism and Arts (PIJA), Lance Magazine is a public-centric independent media organisation dedicated to fighting injustice, fostering social justice and community development through the telling and retelling of the marginalised-oriented stories.
Long before December 16, 1999, the story began on June 4, 1996. The late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola was just gruesomely murdered in what Daily Mail described as a “senseless attack.” It was a P90 Rifle, which the US Military said is used for counterterrorism, that was used to screech the loud, harmless activism voice of the deceased to a halt.
Kudirat had become extremely vocal, following the annullment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. The election involved her husband, Chief M.K.O Abiola and he was supposed to have won. The Military Government under General Ibrahim Babangida, however, saw the victory differently. It was seen as a treasonable offence that landed the late winner in jail where he was later pronounced dead after many years in detention.
Chief Abiola had only the voice of his wife, Kudirat Abiola, speaking for him while in Jail. It was the only voice that at least, became louder than any others. Many thought Kudirat was so keen on the case only because of her interest in the First Lady’s Office. But some believed she woke up to her responsibility, being the first wife of the Chief. Her outspokenness, calling for the power to restore her husband’s mandate did not sit well with the new Military Government of General Sani Abacha.
Gen Abacha saw Kudirat’s lone voice as a threat to Nigeria’s National Security rather than a pro-democratic activism. Such a voice, which was not even well-supported by her entire family, must be silenced at all costs. This was well captured by the poet Femi Ojo-Ade, who wrote in findings retrieved from the Daily Mail archive that “In Nigeria if you insist on your right, you are adjudged to be confrontational. Since the military and their brothers and sisters from the North have been chosen by the Almighty to rule the country forever, it makes sense that, if you are oppressed, battered, butchered, or whatever, it is your duty to beg the oppressors who are simply acting out their God-given right. You must not resist, because Allah has decided the condition to which you must resign yourself. Maybe that is why Kudirat’s submissive family did not deem it necessary to cry out on her behalf while she was still alive.”
As Femi Adepoju described in the PM News June 6, year 2000 publication, Kudirat, the wife of the winner of the June 12, 1993 (annulled) presidential election, was in her white Mercedes-Benz, on her way to honour an appointment at the Canadian Embassy when she met her untimely death through the bullets of Sergeant Rogers.
“She was going to Lagos in her white Mercedez Benz car when she was silenced by a Uzzi gunshot fired by Sergeant Rogers, a ready tool in the hand of the late maximum ruler of Nigeria, Gen. Sani Abacha. Abacha felt Alhaja Kudirat’s clamour and activities to ensure the actualisation of her husband’s June 12 mandate became a reality ought to be ended by killing her,” the article quoted.
It was not until the civilian administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 that a proper investigation was launched and Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the Chief Security Officer of former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha; Mohammad Abacha, the eldest son of the late Head of State; Sergeant Rogers Barnabas Jaliba, Aminu Muhammad, Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan, others were indicted on the case. All, except Sgt Rogers, had denied the allegation despite Rogers confessing that he was only following Al-Mustapha’s order. The latter was later detained, punished, tortured, sentenced to death by hanging and then freed. He was welcome with a triumphant event in Kano. And in 2019, subsequently to 2023, he tried contesting in Nigeria’s elections while advocating the era of military rule was over.
The controversy between Journalists and Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun started on December 16, 1999 but the journey to it started in three days time.
It was December 13, 1999. The headline blared, glaringly on Newspapers across Nigeria’s politically-sensitive ambience. The thought of justice hung in the air, probably, castling on a fence of doubt. The Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Christopher Segun, had just relinquished his license to try the criminal case against the killers of Mrs Kudirat Abiola. His reason was because of the accusations that he was biased.
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Justice Christopher washed his hands and handed over the case to Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo, also known as “Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.” The fresh judge, who was little-known, got her first chance to try such a high-profile case and probably got her name known. She was young and was expected to be fair but her first pronouncement shocked everyone.
On December 16, 1999, when she first tried the case, she ordered security operatives to arrest any journalists who entered the courtroom with cameras and recording machines. This left many with the thought of weighing which was important in arresting journalists or ensuring justice was served.
Journalists thought of it as a joke until the next trial in the year 2000 when she reaffirmed the order. Meanwhile, upon all her orders, that was the only order she was able to give until she rested the case in April 2001 without any results.
Time flies, in August 2024, President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, sworn-in the same Justice Kekere-Ekun as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), following the retirement of the former CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s Court 13 was one of the courtrooms in poor condition in 1999.
Daily Independent once reported that Kekere-Ekun’s US visa was rejected as a result of her ruling which nullified Emeka Ihedioha’s victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and declared Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the rightful winner.
Her swearing-in has attracted a lot of backlash as she was not supposed to be sworn-in until the Senate House approved her, experts say.
There are several indications that the judge who could not handle a case to fruition in 1999 would be able to handle a series of court cases in Nigeria’s apex court.
Editor’s Note: PIJAlance appreciates Archivi for making all the Newspaper archives, available.
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Enoch Oyedibu
Neck-deep Investigative Journalist, Fact-checker and writer-I provide support for marginalised communities through strategic investigative reporting, holding power to account and airing the underrepresented communities' concerns. I firmly believe in giving voices to the underreported communities in Nigeria and Africa. This has, however, made me contribute to multiple publications and projects that exposed corruption, injustice, and human rights violations. I am passionate about journalism and its role in creating positive change in the world. I lead a group of professional investigators at the PIJAlance Magazine Research and Investigations Desk (RID). If you have a story, check 'contact us' to hit me.