— Demands urgent prosecution, warns against turning presidential orders into symbolism
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has criticized both the Federal Government and the Benue State Government over what he described as the continued failure to prosecute suspects arrested in connection with widespread killings and insecurity in the state.
Falana, who made his remarks in a statement issued under the platform of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB)—which he chairs—decried the recurring pattern of arrests without justice, noting that many suspects detained over the years for crimes ranging from illegal arms possession to mass killings and kidnapping have not been formally charged or brought before a court of law.
His comments follow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue State, where the president directed the Nigeria Police Force to arrest and prosecute all individuals involved in the recent spate of violence across the state.
However, Falana expressed skepticism about the impact of the directive, warning that unless there is a genuine commitment to justice, the presidential order may be no more than “symbolic.”
“The truth is, suspects continue to be treated like sacred cows. Arrests have become mere rituals, without follow-up action that ensures justice for the victims and accountability for the perpetrators,” Falana stated.
The senior lawyer also rebuked the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, over his recent comments accusing residents of the Yelwata community of harbouring the perpetrators of violence. Falana described the CDS’ statement as an unfair attempt to shift blame onto victims instead of addressing the systemic security and governance failures enabling the killings.
He backed his criticism with a timeline of arrests made by various authorities, citing multiple examples:
- December 30, 2024: Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hassan Yabanet, announced the arrest of 273 suspects linked to capital crimes, along with the recovery of 20 firearms and 51 rounds of ammunition.
- January 17, 2024: Police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi reported the uncovering of an illegal firearms factory in Benue, with two suspects—Friday Aduduakambe and Iorwashima Iornyume—apprehended. Seized items included nine locally made pistols and an unfinished AK-47 rifle.
- April 17, 2025: Governor Hyacinth Alia confirmed the arrest of three herdsmen for the killing of 11 residents in the Otobi community, Otukpo LGA.
- June 19, 2025: Community Volunteer Guards captured three suspected kidnappers at Otukpo motor park, allegedly in possession of ransom money.
Falana further cited figures from January to June 2025, noting that dozens of suspects had been arrested, including 43 alleged killers in the past 10 days alone, yet no significant prosecutions have been reported.
He called on the Benue State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Fidelis Mnyim, to take decisive legal action without further delay.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. The government must demonstrate that no one is above the law,” he added.
