Falana calls for new investigations into unsolved murders and criticizes media silence

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has called for the immediate reopening of several unsolved cases of murder and extrajudicial killing across Nigeria, warning that continued silence and inaction threaten justice and public trust.

Falana made the call on Saturday during an interactive session organized by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project in Ikeja, Lagos, where he charged the media to step up accountability amid worsening insecurity nationwide.

Speaking on the topic “The Role of Media in Promoting People’s Rights, Accountability and Access to Justice”, the senior lawyer lamented that many high profile murders have been abandoned without any trial or closure.

He urged journalists and media organizations not to allow such cases to fade from public memory, stressing that continued reporting continues to be crucial to achieving justice for victims.

Falana cited several cases that he said deserved an urgent review, including the controversial death of Sylvester Oromoni, the unsolved Offa bank robbery and the murder of Kudirat Abiola.

He also referred to the killing of six traders at Owode Onirin Market in Lagos in August 2025, stressing that despite public outrage, justice was yet to be served.

According to him, the media must go beyond normal reporting and constantly monitor cases of rights violations until accountability is established.

“The media must not allow these cases to be forgotten. Justice must not only be done, but seen to be done,” Falana said.

He criticized what he described as the underuse of the Freedom of Information Act by journalists, arguing that the law remains a powerful tool for uncovering facts, reporting abuses and enforcing transparency in governance.

Falana also cautioned media outlets against compromising editorial integrity for commercial interests, particularly through the growing trend of wrap-around advertisements, which he said undermine credibility.

“The media must not sacrifice truth and objectivity on the altar of commercial gains,” he warned.

The legal luminary reiterated that the press has a constitutional responsibility to hold authorities accountable and defend citizens’ rights, urging journalists to prioritize the public interest over external pressures.

He also highlighted the role of regional human rights mechanisms, stressing that Nigerians could seek justice beyond national institutions where necessary.

Falana called on the federal government to strengthen institutions that deliver justice and ensure timely prosecution of cases of rights violations, while supporting greater collaboration between civil society groups and the media.

He argued that addressing human rights violations in Nigeria would require collective and sustained efforts from all stakeholders, including journalists, legal practitioners and activists.

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