Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has called for the immediate reopening of several unresolved murder and extrajudicial killing cases across Nigeria, warning that continued silence and inaction threaten justice and public trust.
Falana made the call on Saturday during an interactive session organised by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project in Ikeja, Lagos, where he charged the media to intensify advocacy for accountability amid worsening insecurity nationwide.
Speaking on the theme, “The Role of Media in Promoting People’s Rights, Accountability and Access to Justice,” the senior advocate lamented that many high-profile killings had been abandoned without prosecution or closure.
He urged journalists and media organisations not to allow such cases to fade from public memory, stressing that sustained reporting remained critical to achieving justice for victims.
Falana cited several cases he said deserved urgent review, including the controversial death of Sylvester Oromoni, the unresolved Offa bank robbery, and the assassination of Kudirat Abiola.
He also referenced the killing of six traders at Owode Onirin Market in Lagos in August 2025, noting that despite public outrage, justice had yet to be served.
According to him, the media must go beyond routine reporting by persistently tracking rights violation cases until accountability is achieved.
“The media must not allow these cases to be forgotten. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done,” Falana said.
He criticised what he described as the underutilisation of the Freedom of Information Act by journalists, arguing that the law remained a potent tool for uncovering facts, exposing abuses, and compelling transparency in governance.
Falana further cautioned media organisations against compromising editorial integrity for commercial interests, particularly through the growing trend of wraparound advertisements, which he said undermined credibility.
“The media must not sacrifice truth and objectivity on the altar of commercial gains,” he warned.
The legal luminary reiterated that the press has a constitutional responsibility to hold authorities accountable and defend citizens’ rights, urging journalists to prioritise public interest over external pressures.
He also highlighted the role of regional human rights mechanisms, noting that Nigerians could seek justice beyond domestic institutions where necessary.
Falana called on the Federal Government to strengthen justice delivery institutions and ensure timely prosecution of rights violation cases, while advocating stronger collaboration between civil society groups and the media.
He maintained that tackling human rights abuses in Nigeria would require sustained, collective efforts from all stakeholders, including journalists, legal practitioners, and activists.
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