Nationwide Protests: Femi Falana Criticizes Tinubu’s Speech

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has urged President Bola Tinubu to address the core demands of the peaceful protesters who have been voicing their concerns about various issues in Nigeria.

In a statement released on Sunday, Falana criticized the presidential speech delivered earlier that day, stating that it failed to address the principal demand of reversing the policy on fuel subsidy withdrawal.

Falana emphasized that if the government truly commits to combating corruption among oil dealers and ensures that crude oil is processed in government-owned refineries, there would be no need for a fuel subsidy, which is currently driven by the importation of petroleum products.

He argued that a positive response to the demands of the youths could potentially lead them to reconsider their protest actions, whereas ignoring these demands would only lead to continued unrest.

Falana, while congratulating the protesters for bringing national attention to the dire situation faced by millions of hungry Nigerians, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detained protesters, asserting that they had not committed any criminal offenses.

He also condemned the repression of the peaceful demonstrations and expressed his condolences to those who lost loved ones during the protests.

Falana called on the government to establish commissions of inquiry to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the reckless killings of protesters. He suggested that these commissions should include representatives from credible human rights organizations and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to ensure accountability.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the patriots—peaceful protesters—who were killed,” Falana stated.

“The Federal and State Governments should set up Commissions of Inquiry to investigate the killings and bring the perpetrators to justice. The families of the deceased should be adequately compensated by the federal government. The victims of these barbaric police killings should be recognized and celebrated as heroes and heroines of the struggle for the emancipation of the downtrodden Nigerian people. Participation in peaceful protests should never be criminalized in Nigeria.” Said, Falana.

Falana’s full statement sheds light on the context of the protests, which were announced by Nigerian youths who aimed to protest against poor governance from August 1-10, 2024. Various organizations independently listed their demands and called on the government to address them. Instead of engaging with these demands, the federal and some state governments launched campaigns of blackmail and discredit, accusing the youths, without evidence, of being manipulated by frustrated politicians and other elements.

Provocative remarks from high-ranking officials further aggravated the situation. Senate President Godswill Akpabio infamously declared, “while you protest, we shall be eating,” while Vice President Kashim Shettima derogatorily referred to the protesters as “idiots.” In a bid to prevent the protests, the federal government met with selected political, religious, and traditional leaders who assured that the protests would not be allowed. Some fake groups, not involved in organizing the protests, announced their withdrawal, and the government mobilized elements to disrupt or stage counter-protests.

Despite these efforts, the protests proceeded peacefully across many states, drawing media attention. Thugs, allegedly sponsored by government elements, attacked unarmed protesters, and overzealous police officers resorted to violence, resulting in several fatalities. Journalists covering the events were also harassed and intimidated.

Falana condemned these actions, noting that it is the statutory responsibility of the police to protect peaceful protesters. He criticized the police for hiding behind the pretext of attacking thugs to assault protesters, leading to further violence and mayhem. The police, lacking non-lethal crowd control equipment, resorted to using live ammunition, resulting in the deaths of many unarmed protesters.

Adding to the tension, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, threatened military intervention if the protests continued, a move Falana deemed illegal and unconstitutional. He cited legal precedents that restrict military involvement in civil matters unless specific conditions are met, emphasizing that Nigeria is no longer under military dictatorship.

Falana reiterated his call for the government to address the demands of the protesters, particularly the reversal of the fuel subsidy policy. He argued that tackling corruption in the oil sector and processing crude oil domestically would eliminate the need for subsidies. Acknowledging and addressing the protesters’ demands is crucial for preventing further unrest and ensuring the protection of democratic rights in Nigeria.

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