Activist-lawyer and human rights advocate, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has called for a political resolution to the prolonged detention of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/idrinstitute.png")
Falana, who described Kanu’s case as “a political matter,” said it should be settled outside the courtroom in the interest of peace and justice.
Speaking with reporters in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, during a courtesy visit to Governor Alex Otti, Falana said, “I cannot comment on pending proceedings. You understand me? Like you said, the case was in court today (Wednesday), but I believe that it is a matter that should be sorted out outside the courtroom.
“For me, it’s a political case. And if you have a situation where some governments are negotiating with bandits or other criminal elements, there can be no basis for not having that matter resolved politically.”
The Senior Advocate also commended Governor Otti for his “remarkable achievements” in less than three years in office, particularly in the areas of road construction, education, healthcare, and infrastructure development across Abia State.
Falana said he was in the state to represent a client in court and decided to pay a courtesy visit to the governor before his appearance.
“I’ve been coming to Abia since the return of civil rule in 1999, and I can say without fear of contradiction that I’ve seen signs of governance that were not there before,” he said. “I’ve gone around and seen good roads, schools, and hospitals. I’m very confident that the governor can do much more than he has done. He owes some of us a duty to ensure that he does not disappoint.”
Falana revealed that part of his discussion with Governor Otti focused on deepening people-oriented governance and ensuring that citizens remain at the heart of the administration’s policies.
The human rights lawyer also weighed in on ongoing judicial reforms, lamenting that access to justice in Nigeria largely favours politicians and the elite.
“Right now, we have a lot of access to justice by the politicians. Only their cases move in court because political cases are time-bound. Other cases must also be time-bound,” he said. “People make the mistake of saying the judiciary is the last hope of the common man. The common man has no means to go to court. The judiciary is the last hope of the elite.”
Falana advocated for the promotion of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms, including the strengthening of customary courts and traditional institutions that ordinary Nigerians often rely on for justice.
“So, if you want the ordinary people to benefit from the judicial system, you must promote alternative dispute resolution,” he added. “Our governments, including that of Abia State, must reform customary courts and empower traditional rulers, who provide daily access to justice in their communities.”
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