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Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has called for the detention of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to be resolved outside the courtroom.
The senior lawyer described Kanu’s situation as a political issue that should not be confined to the courts.
Falana made this known in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, while speaking to journalists during a courtesy visit to Governor Alex Otti.
“I cannot comment on pending proceedings. You understand me? Like you said, the case was in court today (Wednesday), but I believe that it is a matter that should be sorted out outside the courtroom.
“For me, it’s a political case. And if you have a situation where some governments are negotiating with bandits or other criminal elements, there can be no basis for not having that matter resolved politically,” he said.
Falana commended Governor Alex Otti for his numerous developmental achievements in Abia State within just over two years in office.
The lawyer explained that he was in the state to represent a client and decided to visit the governor before appearing in court.
He noted that he had been familiar with developments in Abia State since 1999 and expressed satisfaction with the evident transformation taking place under the current administration.
“I’m familiar with the entire country. I’m familiar with the affairs of Abia State. I’ve been coming here since the inauguration of the civilian government, since 1999.
“I can say without any fear of contradiction that I’ve seen signs of governance, which were not there before. I’ve seen evidence of physical development.
“I’ve gone around. I’ve seen good roads, I’ve seen good schools, and hospitals. I am very confident that the governor can do much more than he has done. He owes some of us a duty to ensure that he does not disappoint.
“I’ve also spoken to people. It’s not enough to go around and see physical development without finding out from the people how they are faring. I’ve heard very positive comments from the people,” he said.
Falana added that part of his discussions with Governor Otti centred on strengthening governance and ensuring that the people remain the focus of government policies.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that citizens truly benefit from democratic dividends.
Commenting on the ongoing judicial reforms, Falana lamented the lack of access to justice for ordinary citizens and advocated greater use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
According to him, justice in Nigeria has become largely accessible only to politicians and the elite.
“Right now, we have a lot of access to justice by the politicians. Only their cases move in court because political cases are time-bound.
“Other cases, for me, must be time-bound. People make the mistake of saying that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man. The common man has no means to go to court. The judiciary is the last hope of the elite.
“So, if you want the ordinary people to benefit from the judicial system, you must promote alternative dispute resolution. The majority of our people do not go to the Western courts. They patronise traditional rulers and community leaders to resolve problems.
“So, the governments of our country, including that of Abia State, must also reform the customary courts and palaces of traditional rulers, where our people have daily access to resolve their disputes.
“If people have confidence in their community leaders to dispense justice, we must promote such fora.
“I would call on the governments of Nigeria to pay more attention to the traditional judicial system. It’s not enough to satisfy the elite.”
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