Falana: Nobody must invoke human rights over looted funds

Mr Femi Falana (SAN) and a human rights activist, has said that all persons alleged to have diverted funds meant to procure arms to fight insurgency must be prosecuted.

Falana made the call on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the official opening of Amnesty International Office in Abuja.

He said he would be filing a petition before the International Criminal Court to ensure that perpetrators of the arms deal funds were tried for crimes against humanity.

“Nobody must invoke human rights; those who stole the money meant for procuring arms must not go unpunished.

“No lawyer must be permitted to invoke human rights to cover these crimes against humanity–because they go beyond just stealing. We are only talking of those who are alive, how about those who have been killed recklessly because of this kind of irresponsibility on the part of a few people.

“The EFCC has not violated any law in keeping those who are alleged to have turned the office of the NSA into a bazaar market where huge funds were being distributed, “ he said.

While commenting on the recovery of stolen funds by government officials in past administrations, Falana canvassed for the opening of a special account to house the funds for infrastructural development.

“The Nigerian people must insist that the Muhammadu Buhari administration should open a dedicated account, not TSA, don’t take it to the Central Bank, it shouldn’t be shared– where all money recovered from those who have looted the wealth of the country will be warehoused for the infrastructural development of the country.

“It should not be taken to the Federation Account, “ he said.

The EFCC has reportedly charged Colonel Sambo Dasuki, DAAR chairman, Raymond Dokpesi and others for money laundering and pilfering money meant for the procurement of arms.