Falana Urges FG to Drop Criminal Charges Against Journalists

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called on the Federal Government to immediately drop all criminal prosecutions against journalists and citizens charged for criticizing public officials.

Falana’s appeal follows President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day address, in which the President warned that suppressing dissent could weaken Nigeria’s democratic fabric. He emphasized that silencing critics runs contrary to democratic values.

In line with this, Falana urged the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to heed the President’s message by discontinuing all ongoing criminal cases targeting those who speak out against government officials.

He further stressed that public officials displeased with negative media coverage should seek resolution through civil courts instead of resorting to criminal charges, a practice that undermines press freedom and democratic rights.