Femi Falana Urges Nigeria and Ghana to Sue South Africa

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on the governments of Nigeria and Ghana to initiate legal proceedings against South Africa at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. This demand follows a wave of xenophobic attacks by youth groups that forced thousands of Nigerians to flee the country, resulting in the loss of businesses and properties.

Falana criticized the current strategy of Nigeria and Ghana to report the crisis to the African Union, describing the move as "diversionary and time wasting." He argued that the AU lacks the authority to compel South Africa to pay compensation to victims, whereas the African Court could provide a mechanism for legal redress and damages.

While the Nigerian government has sought compensation for its citizens, the South African government rejected these demands, claiming many of the evacuated migrants were in the country illegally. Falana maintains that these expulsions violate the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and has urged President Bola Tinubu to recognize the jurisdiction of the African Court for individuals and non-governmental organizations.