Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding the deaths of prominent Nigerians, including Dele Giwa, Bola Ige, and Kudirat Abiola, to bring closure to the matter. Soyinka believes that Nigerians at home and abroad may possess valuable information that could shed light on these killings.
He made this appeal during the 2025 Democracy Day commemoration, where President Tinubu awarded national honours to heroes of the pro-democracy struggle.
Soyinka praised the national honours but criticized the omission of key individuals from the list, noting that the recipients represented the broader group of those who fought for democracy.
Soyinka emphasized the significance of the June 12 struggle, highlighting the numerous lives lost and the many who were tortured or imprisoned by the military junta.
He revealed that he would dedicate his own honour to the memory of Late Beko Ransom-Kuti, a defender of human rights and champion of good governance. Soyinka’s plea comes after the presidency denied awarding national honours to activist Aisha Yesufu and 35 others, sparking public debate.
The unsolved killings of Dele Giwa, Bola Ige, and Kudirat Abiola are part of a long list of unresolved murder cases in Nigeria, including Funsho Williams, Eunice Olawale, and Alex Badeh, among others. These cases have remained unresolved for years, with many wondering if justice will ever be served.
