Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has argued that the rule of law is under threat in Nigeria, referencing the controversial Makoko and Oworonsoki demolitions, which triggered outrage and protests among residents in Lagos State.

He spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday at the 2025 Annual General Conference of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR).

The conference, with the theme “Advancing and Defending the Rule of Law in Nigeria: Stakeholders’ Tragedy and Way Forward,” attracted civil society leaders and delegates from across the country.

In his remarks, Falana, represented by Malachy Ugwumadu, a legal practitioner, expressed concern over lack of freedom to protest, press freedom, and respect for court judgments.

He said, “The question is, do we have a full dose of the rule of law operational in our country? It’s a question. Can we boldly say that the rule of law operates in our country, even under civil dispensation, which they call democracy? Can we say so? If we can say so, for so many other countries, I’m sure what is happening in Oworonsoki in Lagos is a good example that the rule of law is not operational.

“Thousands of Nigerians are not just being displaced; their properties are razed down, even while many of them are in there with children, innocent children.

“The only offence is that they belong to the demographic of weak Nigerians, who are not as financially buoyant as those that live in Ikoyi and Ajah, as the case may be.”

He expressed concern that protesters who dared the government, like activists Soweto Hassan and Dele Frank, were manhandled and charged to court.

Falana also lamented that the poor are being weakened in a way that widens the gap between the rich and the poor.

“Our country has become somewhat challenged. It has always been challenged, but it appears that the dimension this time around is to continue to weaken the poor in a way that widens the gap between the haves and the have-nots,” he said.

The Senior Advocate said the government has weaponised the Cybercrime Act in order to stifle the media.

“So, I don’t know how we have easily walked back or sleep-walked into the era of military mentality in this country,” Falana said.

He called on civil society leaders to “stand firm and resolute in the pursuit of the cause that we have identified and chosen to pursue.”

The Vice President of CDHR, Yinka Folarin, said defending human rights has become more challenging for activists in Nigeria.

“You will agree with me that democracy should be premised on rule of law and the rule of law should be the cornerstone of any form of democracy.

“We have so much to do as far as respect for and promotion of human rights is concerned in Nigeria,” Folarin said. (Weekend Trust)