Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, saying they largely benefit the wealthy while the majority of Nigerians continue to suffer under harsh economic conditions.
Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, Falana pointed out that despite the government’s self-congratulatory tone on its two-year performance, ordinary Nigerians are worse off.
“For the rich, the bourgeoisie, things are getting better. But for the masses… it’s an excruciating economic crisis,” Falana said.
He noted that key policies like fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange unification, introduced shortly after Tinubu took office, have worsened living standards for the poor.
The comments come as some top APC officials celebrated the president’s second anniversary, claiming significant achievements under his administration.
In a separate development, Falana has warned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, against bypassing legal procedures in the recovery of outstanding ground rents in Abuja.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Falana emphasized that while defaulters must be held accountable, the law must be followed in the process of enforcement.
The legal luminary was reacting to recent actions taken by the Wike-led FCTA, which published the names of over 9,000 property owners allegedly owing ground rents, some for up to 43 years.
The administration had threatened to seal off the affected properties and in some cases, take possession. Already, enforcement had begun with several buildings sealed, including one linked to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervened and extended a grace period of 14 days.
That deadline expired on Friday, June 6, 2025.
Falana insisted that the rule of law must prevail, urging the FCT authorities to seek redress through the appropriate legal channels.
“Yes, people are owing. Too bad. But if you want to collect your money, you must go to court,” he stated.
He further explained that under Nigeria’s legal framework, it is the Urban and Regional Planning Tribunal in Abuja that has jurisdiction over matters involving property sealing and demolition.
He cautioned that any aggrieved party has the constitutional right to challenge such enforcement actions in court.
“The rule of law must be allowed to operate. We are operating a democracy,” Falana said, adding that even in cases of default, government actions must remain within the confines of legal due process.
As the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations come to a close, enforcement by the FCTA is expected to resume, raising fresh concerns over the legality and fairness of further actions.
