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Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana has delivered a scathing critique of Nigeria’s elite, challenging the narrative that ethnic and religious divisions are at the heart of the country’s woes. Instead, he points to systemic looting by the ruling class as the real issue plaguing the nation.
“In the drawing rooms of the rich, nobody talks of religion or ethnicity when they want to destroy and steal the wealth of the country,” Falana remarked, emphasising how the elite strategically manipulate divisions among the masses while working together for their financial gain.
Highlighting the stark contrast between conventional crime and high-profile corruption, Falana stated, “All the armed robbers in Nigeria, all the money they have stolen since 1960, has not been up to 191 billion naira stolen by an executive of a bank.”
He referenced a high-profile case: “A lady executive of a bank was charged with stealing 250 billion naira. She pleaded with the government: ‘Can I do plea bargaining? I will return 194 billion naira.'”
Falana underscored the magnitude of white-collar crime compared to street-level crimes, arguing that political and financial elites have perpetrated far greater economic damage than any criminal gangs in the country.
He further criticised how the ruling class, with support from foreign powers, fosters division among Nigerians to prevent the unity necessary for progress.
“We are then told by the ruling class, aided by imperialism, that everybody should mind his own business because of the fear that if you have a united African country in Nigeria, 170 million people, that is one of the largest markets in the world.”
By exploiting religious and ethnic sentiments, Falana asserts, the elite ensure that true national unity remains elusive, keeping the populace distracted while wealth continues to be siphoned away.
