Lagos: Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN),Femi Falana, has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of 400 alleged terrorism financiers, accusing the Federal Government of failing to uphold its constitutional duty to protect citizens.
Speaking at a nationwide protest organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Lagos, Falana condemned rising insecurity, poverty, and what he described as government negligence. He said Nigerians are “gripped by fear” as kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism continue to escalate.
Falana insisted that the government has ignored her constitutional duty. He reminded the crowd that the 1999 Constitution clearly states the welfare and security of the people as the primary purpose of government.
“We are out today to pressure the government to take care of our security and welfare,” he declared.
The senior lawyer warned against calls for foreign military intervention, recalling Nigeria’s historical resistance to the establishment of foreign military bases.
“No matter the level of insecurity, we reject any so-called foreign invasion of our country,” he said, citing the 1962 youth-led opposition to the Anglo-Nigerian Defence Pact and subsequent resistance to French and American military bases.
Falana argued that Nigeria has the human and natural resources to secure itself, pointing to past peacekeeping missions in Liberia and Sierra Leone. “Therefore, we have the capacity to protect the lives and property of every person living in Nigeria,” he insisted.
As Nigeria approaches 2026, Falana said citizens no longer want excuses. He demanded the trial of the 400 terrorism financiers arrested under the Buhari administration in 2021. “The federal government has refused to try them, and this is unacceptable,” he said.
Falana linked insecurity to poverty, stressing that it cannot be solved by military means alone. He argued that poverty, unemployment, and social injustice must be addressed.
“Without creating jobs for the youth, without addressing poverty, you cannot abolish insecurity in our country,” he said.
The legal luminary stated that despite rising revenues, there are unmet promises. He criticised the government’s handling of subsidy removal.
He alleged that monthly allocations to the three tiers of government now exceed ₦2 trillion, compared to ₦5.6 trillion shared in May 2023. Yet, he said, palliatives promised under the National Social Investment Programme have not reached workers, farmers, traders, and vulnerable Nigerians.
Falana urged state Houses of Assembly to ensure welfare programmes are adequately funded:
“We are simply asking the government to implement the laws of our country,” he said, demanding cash transfers, empowerment programmes, and daily school meals for children as mandated by law.TheDiggerNews.com notes that the fiery address underscores growing frustration among Nigerians over insecurity and economic hardship. Falana’s demand for accountability—particularly the prosecution of alleged terror financiers—adds pressure on the Federal Government as the country heads into 2026.