Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Femi Falana, has called on security agencies and relevant authorities to prosecute influential individuals allegedly linked to several unresolved murder cases across Nigeria.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
Falana, who spoke in a statement issued on behalf of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 & Beyond (ASCAB), accused the government of routinely covering up murder cases involving politically exposed persons and other highly connected individuals.
According to him, many murder investigations involving members of the ruling class are either swept under the carpet or deliberately mishandled to secure questionable acquittals.
The senior lawyer urged the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Department of State Services (DSS), and state governments to ensure justice is served in a number of controversial cases currently generating public concern.
Falana referenced the April 5, 2018, Offa bank robbery attack in Offa, where armed robbers reportedly killed 33 people, including nine police officers, during attacks on banks and a police station.
He noted that five suspects were convicted and sentenced to death by the Kwara State High Court in September 2024, with the Court of Appeal affirming the judgment.
However, Falana said fresh legal actions have implicated prominent political figures, including former Senate President, Bukola Saraki and former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.
According to him, bereaved families filed a ₦2.1 billion civil suit in April 2025, relying on alleged confessional statements by robbery gang leader, Ayoade Akinnibosun, who reportedly claimed the politicians sponsored and armed the gang as political thugs.
Falana added that the Kwara State Government later filed a 20-count charge bordering on conspiracy, culpable homicide, and aiding armed robbers against Saraki, Ahmed, former Chief of Staff, Yusuf Abdulwahab, and an aide, Alabi Olalekan.
He urged all parties to allow the judicial process to proceed without political interference.
Falana also demanded a thorough investigation into the disappearance and alleged killing of Abubakar Idris Dadiyata, a lecturer at Federal University Dutsinma, who was abducted from his Kaduna residence in August 2019.
He referenced recent comments by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who denied allegations linking his administration to the incident and instead pointed fingers at the former Kano State Government led by Abdullahi Ganduje.
Falana also cited allegations by former Zamfara State aide, Musa Muhammad Kamarawa, who reportedly claimed Dadiyata was tortured and killed in a police cell in Kaduna.
He urged the police and DSS to investigate all individuals allegedly connected to the lecturer’s death.
The legal activist further called for the prosecution of alleged Lagos land grabber, Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi, over killings and violence linked to the Ajiran community in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Falana stated that Akanbi, who was declared wanted by the police in February 2026, was later arrested by INTERPOL in Cotonou, Benin Republic, and handed over to police authorities in Lagos.
He urged the Lagos State Attorney-General to arraign the suspect for alleged murder, attempted murder, and destruction of property.
Falana also revisited the killing of six traders at the Owode-Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market in Lagos on August 27, 2025.
The victims — Seyi Akinboye, Adeoye Taiwo, Dare Mufutau, Aderemi Hakeem, Abraham Temoola, and Wale Adebayo — were allegedly shot dead during a land dispute involving four police officers from Nasarawa State.
According to Falana, the officers were freed after the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions issued legal advice claiming they acted in self-defence.
He, however, said new ballistic and post-mortem evidence had since been submitted to the Ministry of Justice, urging authorities to review the legal advice.
Falana equally demanded accountability over the alleged torture and eventual death of Chief Lukman Ojora Arounfale, popularly known as the Baba Oba of Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, United States.
He alleged that Chief Arounfale was assaulted inside the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade in April 2025 after a disagreement with the monarch.
According to Falana, armed palace agents allegedly beat and tortured the traditional leader, his wife, and driver before they were detained by the police in Oyo.
He claimed the victim later died from injuries sustained during the incident, while the DSS has reportedly commenced an investigation following complaints by the deceased’s family.
Falana further commented on the killing of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State, allegedly by Assistant Superintendent of Police, Nuhu Usman.
He noted that a viral video showed the deceased, who was handcuffed, pleading for his life before he was allegedly shot dead.
While acknowledging that the police had dismissed and arrested the officers involved, Falana called for the case to be transferred to the office of the Delta State Attorney-General for immediate prosecution at the Delta State High Court.
The senior advocate insisted that justice must be served irrespective of the social or political status of suspects involved in murder cases.
The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209.
______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
Bonus:
Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.
How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626
________________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
