Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has criticised the Federal Government and some state governments for engaging with and rewarding terrorists, describing the practice as unlawful under Nigerian law.
Speaking at Amnesty International’s Second Annual General Meeting in Abuja on June 13, 2026, Falana delivered a keynote address titled “Rising Under Pressure-Human Rights in an era of insecurity, Economic Strain & Democratic Uncertainty,” where he argued that public officials who negotiate with insurgents may be violating the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
According to him, it is widely known that government officials have held discussions with terrorists and bandits, resulting in the forgiveness of thousands of so-called repentant criminals and the distribution of undisclosed cash incentives.
Falana noted that the “satanic Boko Haram sect and similar bodies have been proscribed” under Nigerian law, insisting that “their members and allies shall be prosecuted and not pampered and forgiven by the Nigerian State.”
He maintained that the provisions of the Terrorism Act make it an offence to meet, associate, or provide support to terrorist groups or individuals involved in terrorist activities, including kidnappings.
Citing Section 22 of the Act, Falana highlighted penalties for arranging, participating in, supporting, or attending meetings connected to terrorist organisations, noting that offenders are liable upon conviction to a prison term of at least 20 years.
Based on those provisions, he argued that state governors do not possess the authority to pardon terrorists or bandits.
Instead, he said such suspects should be prosecuted by the Attorney-General of the Federation, and only after conviction and sentencing can the President consider exercising the prerogative of mercy in exceptional circumstances.
Falana, however, cautioned against granting pardons to individuals convicted of serious terrorist offences, including kidnappings, attacks on schools, sexual violence, and killings.
He stressed that “the President must bear in mind that it is not in the interest of national defence, public safety, public order or public morality to grant pardon to terrorists and bandits who had engaged in the abduction of citizens including school children, gang rape of women and schoolgirls, decapitation or beheading of victims of abduction, burning of schools etc.”