Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has criticised the Federal and Benue State Governments for consistently failing to prosecute suspects arrested in connection with violent attacks in Benue State.
In a statement issued under the platform of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), which he chairs, Falana, on Sunday, lamented that although hundreds of suspects have been arrested over the years for crimes ranging from illegal possession of firearms to mass killings and kidnapping, most of them are never charged.
His reaction follows President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue, during which he directed the Nigeria Police Force to arrest and prosecute all those involved in the latest wave of violence in the state. However, Falana described the president’s order as potentially symbolic, pointing out that previous arrests had not led to convictions or justice for victims.
Falana also berated the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for alleging that residents of Yelwata community provided shelter for the killers.
He described the statement as an attempt to shift blame onto victims instead of addressing the systemic failures of security and governance.
Falana further said that between January and June 2025 alone, dozens of violent crime suspects have been arrested, including 43 suspected killers in the last 10 days. He said despite these arrests, no significant prosecutions have been reported.
“It is undoubtedly clear that the authorities have continued to treat suspected killers in Benue State like sacred cows. The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Benue State, Mr. Fidelis Mnyim, must take immediate steps to ensure that justice is served,” Falana added.
He stressed that the right to life, guaranteed under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, is meaningless unless the state acts decisively to punish those who violate it.
He finally warned that unless concrete action is taken, the ongoing culture of impunity will only worsen the bloodshed and erode public trust in the rule of law.