Osun

Falana Calls for Protection of Citizens’ Rights After ‘Unlawful’ Detention of Varsity Lecturer

ByTitilope Adako

PublishedJanuary 20, 2026

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has described the prolonged detention of Abia State University lecturer, Kenneth Nwafor, by the State Security Service as unconstitutional, insisting that citizens’ rights to personal liberty are inalienable and must be protected at all times.

Falana spoke on Tuesday while reacting to Nwafor’s release after about three years in detention, following a visit by members of the Uturu Development Association of Nigeria (UDAN) worldwide, who came to thank him for securing the lecturer’s freedom.

The senior lawyer said Nwafor’s arrest and detention since July 29, 2022, on allegations of belonging to a proscribed group, amounted to a gross violation of the Constitution and other laws safeguarding personal liberty and human dignity.

He stressed that no citizen should be detained without access to family members, legal counsel or proper judicial oversight.

Falana noted that Nwafor, a first-class graduate and lecturer at Abia State University, was held without any formal charge or trial throughout his period in custody.

He said such action contravened the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and constitutional guarantees on the rights of suspects.

“For our friends in the media, this doctor was detained for over three years, following his unlawful arrest on July 29, 2022,” Falana said.

“Under Nigerian law, you cannot keep a citizen in detention for such a period without trial, contact with family, or access to a lawyer.”

The rights activist explained that the law required arresting officers to inform suspects of the reasons for their arrest, their right to remain silent and their right to legal representation before any statement is taken.

He added that where a suspect chooses to make a confessional statement, such must be video-recorded to prevent abuse and coercion.

Falana further stated that no citizen should be detained beyond 24 or 48 hours, depending on the availability of a court, without being charged or granted bail.

“Bail is free in Nigeria, nobody is permitted to demand money for bail. Any officer who does so is acting outside the law,” he said.

Meanwhile, Falana announced plans to launch a nationwide sensitisation campaign to educate citizens on their fundamental rights.

He said lawyers would be mobilised to visit police stations regularly to ensure that the rights of detainees are respected.

Earlier, the President-General of UDAN, Chidi Slessor, and the Secretary, Titus Eleweke, expressed gratitude to Falana for facilitating Nwafor’s release.

They said his intervention restored the lecturer’s liberty and renewed their confidence in the justice system.

The group also appealed to the senior lawyer to assist in securing the release of another detainee, Nduka Onyeani, who was arrested on the same day as Nwafor and remains in custody.

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.