Femi Falana Sues Nigerian Government for $10 Million

Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has initiated a legal action against the Federal Government of Nigeria, seeking $10 million in damages at the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The case, designated ECW/CCJ/APP/30/2026, was filed in Abuja, where Falana accused the government of violating his fundamental rights during various military administrations in the 1980s and 1990s.

He claims unlawful arrests, detention, and restrictions on his freedom of movement. Falana's confrontation with the government began during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Oyo State from 1982 to 1983, where he defended students charged with serious offenses.

He alleges that the government withheld his NYSC discharge certificate as a result. Additionally, he recounts being arrested by armed agents of the National Security Organisation on June 8, 1985, and detained for seven weeks without due process.

Falana is also seeking a declaration that these actions were unconstitutional.