Human Right Activist, Femi Falana Vows To Prosecute Boko Haram Supected Sponsors

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Thursday, September 4th, 2014

By Niyi Adeyi

Human rights Activist and Constitutional Lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) has threatened to approach court to compel the country’s security agencies investigate the alleged sponsors of dreaded Boko Haram which had held sway in the last five years.

Making reference to the outcome and findings of Ambassador Usman Galtimari Panel of investigation set up by the present administration and last week revelation by another Federal Government foreign – negotiator, Dr. Stephen Davis, which indicted former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu – Sheriff and former Army Chief, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, as insurgents’ sponsors, Mr. Falana in a press statement Thursday declared that, if the security agencies failed to implement the “directives of the Federal Government which were handed down since May 2012”, within the next seven days, would apply to the Federal High Court for “a writ of MANDAMUS to compel investigation of the accused persons.

Falana stated in the statement that the suit would also pray for the prosecution of the indicted sponsors of terrorism in the North Eastern part of the country.

The statement indicated that Dr. Davis’s findings who was contracted to negotiate the freedom of over 200 abducted Chibok Secondary School girls, confirmed that Sheriff has strong link to Boko Haram, as one of its financiers, Alhjai Buji Foi was once a Commissioner for Religion Affairs in his cabinet between 2003 and 2007, alleging that the militia group was dumped and left to their fate after being initially funded by Sheriff to actualize his political ambition.

Frustration due to lack of funding the statement pointed out later forced members of the group to adopt religion extremism, coordinated by their ex leader, late Muhammadu Yusuf. Foi was killed at outset of the insurgency.

Mr. Falana added that the Galtimari’s recommendation of investigating the suspected sponsors of insurgents’ group in 2006 was accepted by the Federal Government, therefore directed the National Security Adviser to coordinate the investigations of the suspects, but the order was not carried out, apparently due to Sheriff’s strong link and connection to the Presidency.

The embattled former Governor has since denied the findings and recommendations by the Galtimari’s Panel and Australian FG – negotiator.

He stated at a press conference in Abuja yesterday that Dr. Davis allegation was unfounded and threatened to sue him.

The National Publicity Secretary of the ruling PDP, Olisa Metuh also in a press statement Wednesday berated the opposition APC for his castigation on the party and Federal government, describing the

address by the party National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, at a press briefing in Abuja Tuesday, as lacking validity, character and intellectual contents, befitting of his office.