Benue: Falana slammed the Nigerian government because he failed to sue the criminals

A senior Nigerian (SAN) advocate, Femi Falana, has condemned the federal government and the Benue state government for their constant failure to sue those who were arrested in connection with a series of violent attacks in the state.

In a strong statement released on Sunday under the banner of the alliance about Covid-19 and so on that survived (ASCAB), which he chairs, Falana said the lack of follow-up after the capture of high profiles had deepened impunity and eroded public trust in the rule of law.

His statement came a few days after the Tinubu Ball President visited Benue and ordered the Nigerian police to arrest and demand the latest murder perpetrators in the state.

Falana, however, described the president’s direction as a “symbolic potential,” pointing to a disturbing pattern where the suspects were arrested and paraded in front of the media but were never taken to court.

“Over the years, hundreds of suspects have been arrested for vile crimes, ranging from ownership of illegal weapons to mass murder and kidnapping, but a little, if there is, has faced trials, let alone punishment,” he said.

He also criticized the defense staff Chief of Staff, General Christopher Musa, who had just accused that the population of the Yelwata community had kept the attackers.

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Falana said such a narrative distracted mistakes to the victims and distracted the actual problem: systemic security and failure of governance.

To illustrate the unresolved scope of crime, Falana provides a detailed chronology of arrest:

December 30, 2024: The Commissioner of the State Police announced the arrest of 273 suspects related to capital crime, along with the recovery of 20 firearms and 51 rounds of ammunition.

January 17, 2024: Police found an illegal weapons factory. Two men, Friday Aduduakambe and Iorwashima Iiornyume, were captured with homemade weapons cache.

April 17, 2025: Governor of Hyacinth Alia revealed that three shepherds were arrested after the murder of 11 people in the Otobi community, Otukpo Lga.

June 19, 2025: Local volunteer guard arrested three suspected kidnappers with ransom at Otukpo Motor Park.

Falana added that only in the first half of 2025, dozens of suspects of violent crime, including 43 people in the last ten days, had been detained. However, he said, this development has not been translated into meaningful legal actions.

“The authorities continue to treat the killer suspects in the Benue state such as the Holy Cow,” said Falana.

“Attorney General and Commissioner for Benue state justice, Mr. Fidelis Mnyim, must act now to ensure justice is not only done but also seen.”

Quoting part 33 of the 1999 constitution, which guarantees the right to life, Falana emphasized that this right became empty when the state failed to punish those who violated them.

He warned that except for the prosecution and accountability followed quickly, the cycle of violence would continue and so did the erosion of public beliefs in justice.

“The bloodshed will get worse. And so does the silence of the state. This is not just a failure of law, that is moral.”