Falana faults FG over plan to transfer Ekweremadu’s prison sentence to Nigeria

Falana faults FG over plan to transfer Ekweremadu’s prison sentence to Nigeria

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has criticised the Federal Government’s plan to facilitate the transfer of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu to Nigeria to serve the remainder of his organ harvesting sentence currently being served in the United Kingdom.

Speaking on Thursday at the opening of the Legal Year of the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, Falana questioned why the Federal Government was prioritising Ekweremadu while 232 other Nigerians are still in British prisons without intervention.

Falana, who vowed to take up the matter, argued that the prisoner exchange programme lacks justification, especially when no British citizen is serving a jail term in Nigeria.

Addressing students at the event organised by the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), UNIABUJA Chapter, Falana also weighed in on the recent clash between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and a naval officer, A.M. Yerima, over a disputed property.

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He condemned both parties for acting outside the law, warning that the Minister was “lucky not to have been shot” and insisting that no public official has the right to call any Nigerian a fool, including a minister.

While acknowledging that Wike acted under the Land Use Act, Falana faulted his lack of restraint and derogatory language. He also stated that the officer acted illegally by guarding private land and hiding under “superior orders.”

“Even the President cannot call any Nigerian a fool,” Falana declared, demanding that President Tinubu compel Wike to apologise.

On the theme “Litigation as the Bloodline of Justice”, Falana encouraged law students to embrace digital tools, noting that more West African courts are adopting virtual hearings and e-filing.

He was later honoured with the title Senior Advocate of the Masses, which he dedicated to the poor.

Also speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, commended the forum for bridging the gap between legal theory and practice, while urging students to uphold discipline, integrity and lifelong learning.

Falana faults FG over plan to transfer Ekweremadu’s prison sentence to Nigeria