Femi Falana Speaks On Modu Sheriff & Boko Haram

Femi Falana (SAN)

A renowned Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist Femi Falana (SAN) expressed his point of view on the situation with Modu Sheriff and Boko Haram.

In his statement published by PremiumTimes, the legal practitioner recalled that on September 3, 2014, ex-governor, Mr. Modu Sheriff held a press conference in Abuja. There he tried to “manipulate with minds of Nigerians by denying any connections with Boko Haram organization.” Actually it sounded to Falana like a respond on accusations of Australian negotiator Dr Stephen Davis. This international negotiator was sent by the government to dialogue with Boko Haram sect on the release of Chibok girls.

During the press conference Mr Modu Sheriff insisted on fact that he met only one member of the sect. It was Mohammed Yussuf, the leader of the Boko Haram, but only after he was arrested by army. And of course as the ex-governor should explain who did he contact with Alhaji Buji Foi, a Boko Haram leader as the Commissioner of Religious Affairs in Borno State. This person left government before joining the sect. And after his arrest he was also killed by soldiers.

Before the accusations of Dr Stephen Davis, the Goodluck Jonathan Administration set up special investigation. It was leaded by Ambassador Usman Galtimar. That group mission was to investigate the roots of troubles in the North East. Here are some facts, that were stated by investigators:

“Findings

The Report traced the origin of private militias in Borno State in particular, of which Boko Haram is an offshoot, to politicians who set them up in the run-up to the 2003 general elections. The militias were allegedly armed and used extensively as political thugs. After the elections and having achieved their primary purpose, the politicians left the militias to their fate since they could not continue funding and keeping them employed. With no visible means of sustenance, some of the militias gravitated towards religious extremism, the type offered by Mohammed Yusuf.

Recommendation

It recommended that the Federal Government should direct the security agencies to beam their light on some politicians who sponsored, funded and used the militia groups that later metamorphosed into Boko Haram and bring them to justice.

Comment

Government accepts this recommendation and directs the National Security Adviser to coordinate the investigation of the kingpins and sponsors to unravel the individuals and groups that are involved.” In 2006, Governor Sheriff told the whole world that he was not bothered by criticisms of his administration for non-performance because less than 5 percent of the people in Borno State were literate. It has been confirmed that majority of the youths who “gravitated towards religious extremism” come from the over a million children who were denied basic education by the Borno State government under Governor Sheriff.

The ECOMOG militia group set up and funded by Governor Sheriff along with similar bodies were said to have constituted the roots of terrorism in the North East region. According to the Panel:

Findings

(a) It was reported that members of the sect have transformed themselves into dreaded criminal groups recently and were not known by various pious sounding Islamic names.

The groups, which had hitherto employed the use of crude and locally made arms with few automatic weapons, are now linked to highly sophisticated weaponry and explosives imported or smuggled into the country. Equally, their modus operandi had drastically changed from mere confrontation with security agents to modern day terrorism with a high precision rate.

(b) Politicians in the country have employed the services of thugs and other groups and associations with large youth membership to intimidate their political opponents during electioneering activities. The roots of terrorism, especially in Borno, Hombe, Yobe and Bauchi States, could be traced to groups or associations such as ‘ECOMOG’, ‘Yan Kalare’ and ‘Sara Suka’ which have links to prominent politicians in these States. However, similar to the militant groups in the Niger Delta area, the groups usually grow out of control and become a threat to the politicians that supported and financed them.

Recommendation

States where sect members thrive should exercise the necessary political will to deal with this problem, notwithstanding the perceived implications to their sponsors.

Comment

Government accepts this recommendation and directs the Security Agents to work with the State Government to deal with this matter.” Owing to the connection of Alhaji Sheriff with the Presidency, the security agencies have failed to implement the directives of the Federal Government which were handed down since May 2012.

If the directives are not carried out within the next 7 days, Femi Falana threatened that he would apply to the Federal High Court. The SAN reminded that it was the aim of security agencies to investigate and prosecute the indicted sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria.