Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), on Tuesday, petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), demanding the re-arrest and prosecution of 10 soldiers accused of killing three police officers in Taraba State and 400 alleged terrorism financiers whose cases were abandoned under the previous administration.

In a press statement, Falana accused former AGF Abubakar Malami (SAN) of deliberately shielding the suspects despite what he described as overwhelming evidence. Copies of his petition were also sent to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

“The withdrawal of terrorism charges against the soldiers and the failure to prosecute hundreds of terror financiers amount to a grave abuse of prosecutorial powers and a betrayal of public trust,” Falana stated.

He recalled the August 2019 incident in Jalingo, Taraba State, where 10 soldiers led by an Army Captain ambushed and killed three police officers after they had arrested notorious kidnapper Bala Hamisu (Wadume).

“The cold-blooded murder of the police officers was intended to cover up the deep involvement of the soldiers in kidnapping operations and the collection of billions of naira in ransom,” he alleged.

Although the soldiers were initially charged with terrorism offences at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the case was abruptly discontinued after Malami filed a nolle prosequi. Falana described this as unconstitutional:

“Section 174(3) of the 1999 Constitution clearly provides that the Attorney-General shall exercise his powers in the public interest and in the interest of justice. The discontinuance of this case was neither.”

Falana also raised concerns about terrorism financiers. He cited the November 2020 convictions in the UAE, where six Nigerians were jailed for funding Boko Haram, noting that Nigerian authorities failed to prosecute any financiers at home.

He recalled Malami’s May 2021 announcement that 400 terrorism financiers had been arrested and would face trial after the judicial workers’ strike. However, Falana said no charges were ever filed:

“Regrettably, even after the strike was suspended, no charges were filed. The suspects were effectively shielded and repeated assurances that trials would commence ‘in a couple of weeks’ turned out to be empty promises.”

He added that case files remain in the AGF’s office while many suspects have regained freedom.

“Nigeria cannot win the war against terrorism while protecting those who finance and execute it. The era of impunity must end,” Falana concluded.