Falana Slams Tinubu Government Over Prosecution of Forest Guards

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has strongly condemned the Federal Government’s decision to prosecute top leaders of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS), popularly known as forest guards.

​In a sharp reaction to the criminal charges filed against the local security volunteers, Falana described the government’s action as entirely unjustifiable given the relentless wave of terrorism and banditry plaguing communities across the country. He demanded that the Attorney-General of the Federation immediately withdraw the suit.

​Background of the Prosecution

​The Tinubu administration, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, filed a seven-count criminal charge against seven high-ranking officials of the NFSS at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

​The defendants facing trial include:

• ​Adewale Joshua Osatimehin
• ​Major Abubakar A. Mohammed (Rtd)
• ​SP Okonkwo Lawrence (Rtd)
• ​Usman Muazu Abdullahi Yakasai
• ​Maj. Sunday Akpa (Rtd)
• ​Jov Peter Charles
• ​Kuku Akaa Reuben

​In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/285/2026 and dated May 18, 2026, the Federal Government accused the group of operating an illegal security outfit in violation of the Private Guard Companies Act, trafficking firearms, and fabricating fake police firearm licence booklets. Court documents further allege that the defendants were caught in possession of live cartridges, locally manufactured double-barrel rifles, and pistols without authorization.

​The charges were officially signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Oyedepo Iseoluwa Rotimi (SAN).

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​Falana Reacts: “Absorb Them, Don’t Prosecute Them”

​In a public statement, Falana argued that the prosecution of the forest guards is counterproductive at a time when formal security agencies are overstretched. He noted that the NFSS volunteers were only providing critical security support to vulnerable citizens, public institutions, and private organizations trying to ward off non-state actors.

​”In view of the worsening insecurity in the country, the FG cannot justify the ongoing harassment of the forest guards. The Attorney-General of the Federation should therefore withdraw the charges without any delay,” Falana stated.

​The senior lawyer further criticized the irony of the government’s approach to national security. He pointed out that the administration has consistently rehabilitated and reintegrated “repentant” terrorists who previously used sophisticated, illegally acquired weapons to kill and kidnap Nigerians, yet it is choosing to penalize local volunteers using locally made firearms to defend their communities.

​Instead of a judicial crackdown, Falana urged the Federal Government to formally integrate the Nigeria Forest Security Service into the nation’s formal security architecture, ensuring they are properly retrained and equipped to secure the country’s vast forest reserves.

​Public Backlash

​The prosecution has already ignited widespread criticism among security analysts and civil society groups, many of whom argue that local surveillance and community policing initiatives should be supported and regularized rather than criminalized amidst Nigeria’s ongoing security crisis.