Falana asks families who pay kidnappers ransom fees to demand refunds from the government

HUMAN rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on Nigerians that pay ransom fees to secure the release of their family members abducted by kidnappers to demand compensation from the federal government.

Of late, kidnapping has become a major industry in Nigeria, with abductions taking place on a daily basis, with relatives of victims being made to page huge sums to secure the release of their loved ones. Speaking yesterday at the 18th Anti-Corruption Situation Room (ACSR), organised by the Heda Resource Centre in partnership with the McArthur Foundation, Mr Falana said such families should be reimbursed.

He called on Nigerians who pay ransoms to secure freedom for their abducted loved ones to feel free to approach the courts to compel the federal government to refund such monies. According to Mr Falana, the responsibility of protecting lives and properties lies squarely with the government.

Mr Falana said: "If a family pays a ransom to secure freedom of their abducted ones, they should approach the courts and demand a refund of the amount paid because the primary responsibility of government is to secure the people.”

Delivering his address as the keynote speaker at the event, Mr Falana also flayed Nigerian anti-graft agencies for what he called the selective prosecution of corrupt cases. he pointed out that this development makes winning the fight against corruption difficult.