Falana calls for arrest, prosecution of 400 alleged terror financiers

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana on Wednesday addressed protesters during the nationwide demonstration led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), criticized government for rising insecurity, poverty, and what he said was the government’s failure to uphold its constitutional duty to protect Nigerians.

Speaking during the protest in Lagos, Falana noted that Nigerians across the country are “gripped by fear” due to escalating insecurity.

He emphasized that the primary purpose of government, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, is the welfare and security of the people.

“We are gathered here this morning in solidarity with the Nigerian people, all our people all over the country, who are gripped by the state of insecurity,” Falana said.

“We are out today to demonstrate our resolve to pressure the government to take care of our security and welfare because it is stated clearly in the Constitution of Nigeria that the welfare and security of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”

He warned against any attempt to justify insecurity through calls for foreign military intervention, recalling Nigeria’s historical resistance to foreign military bases.

“No matter the level of insecurity, we reject any so-called foreign invasion of our country,” Falana declared.

“In 1962, Nigerian youths fought against the Anglo-Nigerian Defence Pact. Since then, we have resisted attempts by France and the United States to establish military bases in Nigeria.”

Falana argued that Nigeria possesses sufficient human and natural resources to secure itself, noting the country’s past peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and other African states.

“Nigeria has gone to Liberia and other countries to restore law and order. Therefore, we have the capacity to protect the lives and property of every person living in Nigeria,” he said.

As Nigeria approaches 2026, Falana said citizens no longer want to hear stories of rampant kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism. He demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of alleged terrorism financiers.

“First, we demand the immediate arrest and prosecution of the 400 terrorism financiers who were arrested by the Buhari administration in 2021. The federal government has refused to try them, and this is unacceptable,” he said.

Falana also stressed that insecurity cannot be tackled through military means alone, insisting that social and economic justice must be addressed.

He criticised the Federal Government for failing to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal despite increased revenues, alleging that monthly allocations to the three tiers of government have risen significantly.

“This time around, we are telling the whole world that the government of Nigeria has been pressurised to take care of its people,” Falana said.

“Nigeria has done it in other countries. Nigeria has gone to Liberia, Sierra Leone and other places to restore law and order. Therefore, we have the human and natural resources to protect the life and property of every person living in Nigeria.”

He continued: “We also want to show today that enough is enough. As we move to 2026, we do not want to hear of cases of kidnapping, banditry and terrorism in our country.

“That is why we are demanding today the immediate arrest and prosecution of the over 400 terrorism financiers that were arrested by the Buhari administration in 2021. The Federal Government has refused to try them.”

.