Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has criticised Nigerian judges for freeing people accused of stealing billions of naira meant for arms procurement, saying such rulings are weakening the fight against terrorism and banditry.
Falana said court decisions that rely on what he described as weak technical grounds have allowed powerful suspects to walk free, while soldiers on the frontlines remain poorly equipped.
While speaking to journalists in his hometown of Ilawe-Ekiti, Ekiti State, he stated that terrorists and bandits now appear better armed than Nigerian troops because money meant for weapons and logistics was diverted by well-known individuals.
“The courts are not helping matters. How do you fight terrorism in an environment where the money budgeted for procurement of arms and ammunition is stolen by well-known criminal elements in society?” Falana asked.
He said members of the Nigerian Armed Forces are capable of defeating insurgents and bandits without foreign help if they are properly equipped and motivated.
“If the members of the Armed Forces are well equipped and motivated, they can deal with terrorism and banditry. But as a result of the neglect of vital security institutions over the years, the ragtag armies of criminal elements are winning the war on terror. It is a shame,” he said.
Falana accused some military officers and their civilian collaborators of diverting funds meant for arms procurement, adding that court rulings had made the situation worse.
Drawing from his experience defending soldiers and officers charged under the Armed Forces Act, he said many personnel were ready to fight but lacked basic equipment.
“The money earmarked for procurement of arms and ammunition was stolen by a coterie of military officers and their civilian collaborators. The courts are not helping as they hide under dubious technicalities to free the indicted criminals who stole billions of naira meant for security,” he said.
Falana cited specific cases to back his claims.
“For instance, a service chief was charged with stealing N22.8bn. The Federal High Court freed him on the ground that he was not charged before a court martial. Meanwhile, he was charged with money laundering, which can only be tried exclusively by the Federal High Court,” he said.
He also mentioned a former governor accused of stealing N6.9bn from the Office of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki.
“A former governor was charged with stealing N6.9bn from the Office of the then National Security Adviser. A judge has just freed him without even allowing him to defend himself,” Falana said.
He added that several other military officers and civilians who allegedly diverted about N200bn meant for military hardware had been allowed to go free.
“A few other military officers and civilians who stole about N200bn have been asked to go home and enjoy the stolen funds earmarked for the purchase of military hardware. Meanwhile, our soldiers are ill-equipped because of the criminal diversion of the huge funds,” he said.
Falana urged the Federal Government to urgently set up a system to recover stolen security funds and redirect them to arms procurement.
“So, the government must put in place a mechanism for the recovery of money meant for the procurement of arms and ammunition that have been stolen, so that the funds can be used for the purpose for which they were meant as a matter of urgency,” he said.
He insisted that Nigeria does not need foreign military intervention to secure the country if its armed forces are properly supported.
“If you equip and motivate your armed forces, Nigeria can fight terrorism and banditry without the intervention of any country. To secure Nigeria is not the business of any foreign nation; it is the duty of the government under the constitution,” Falana said.
Reacting to the recent United States airstrike on a terrorist base in Sokoto State, Falana warned against foreign actions that could fuel religious tension.
“Let the Nigerian government be warned not to allow US President Donald Trump to promote religious war in Nigeria. Criminals killing Nigerians do not care about religion. The war against terror must not divide our people along religious or ethnic lines,” he said.
He also said insecurity cannot be solved without addressing unemployment and hardship, noting that idle youths are more likely to be drawn into crime.
Recall that insecurity worsened towards the end of last year, with increased cases of killings, bandit attacks and kidnappings for ransom.
The United States recently carried out airstrikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria, including one in Sokoto on Christmas Day. The Federal Government said it provided intelligence support for the operation, a development that has generated mixed reactions across the country.
