Falana criticizes Nigerian government’s violent response to protests

Femi Falana, a prominent Nigerian lawyer and human rights advocate, has strongly criticized the government’s handling of nationwide protests against economic hardship and poor governance.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Falana accused the government of waging a “vicious campaign of blackmail and slander” to undermine the protesters’ legitimate grievances.

“Instead of responding to the demands of the youth, the federal government and some state governments have launched a vicious campaign of blackmail and vilification,” Falana said.

He also took issue with disparaging remarks by some senior officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who reportedly said, “when you protest, we will eat,” and Vice President Kashim Shettima, who called protesters “idiots.”

Falana condemned government actions to quell protests, such as obtaining ex parte orders to restrict protest locations and deploying thugs to disrupt demonstrations.

The statement detailed that Nigerian youths had planned a protest against bad governance from August 1-10, 2024, presenting various demands to the government. Instead of responding to the demands, the federal government and some state governments engaged in a “vicious campaign of blackmail and vilification,” accusing the youths of being manipulated by disgruntled politicians without evidence.

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The Senate President’s comments, “while you protest, we will eat,” and Vice President Shettima’s description of protesters as “idiots,” were deemed provocative by Falana.

Efforts to prevent the demonstrations included holding meetings with elected leaders, misleading troop withdrawals by fake groups, and the deployment of thugs to disrupt or hold counter-demonstrations in support of the government, Falana said.

Ahead of the protests, Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory obtained court orders to restrict protesters to certain areas. Although these orders were not formally communicated to organizers, protesters complied and gathered at designated locations.

Contrary to government expectations, the protests were largely peaceful in many states. However, media reported attacks by thugs and overzealous police, resulting in several deaths and injuries among protesters. Journalists were also harassed.

Falana criticized police for failing to protect protesters and allowing thugs to wreak havoc, pointing out that some officers, who lacked proper equipment, were forced to use live ammunition.

Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa has threatened military intervention if the protests continue. Falana argued the threat was illegal and unconstitutional, citing precedents that limit military involvement in civilian matters unless specifically mandated by law.

Falana also urged the federal and state governments to investigate the killings, compensate the families of the victims and ensure that peaceful protests are not criminalized. He called for a response to the protesters’ demands, particularly the reversal of the removal of fuel subsidies and a commitment to combat corruption in the oil sector.

He concluded by emphasizing that peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right and criticized government attempts to curtail this right, while urging that Nigerian democracy be preserved and enhanced.

Falana’s piece criticizes Nigerian government’s heavy-handed response to protests first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.