Femi Falana is a renowned legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) with decades of experience specializing in constitutional law, human rights, and public interest litigation. Widely respected across West Africa and beyond, he is a powerful voice for justice, accountability, and press freedom. He is also the former President of the West Africa Bar Association (WABA).
For over 20 years, Femi Falana has built an exceptional reputation as a legal activist and defender of civil liberties, particularly in the defense of journalists, protesters, and marginalized communities. His fearless pursuit of justice has resulted in several landmark legal victories both in Nigeria and at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice.
A leading figure in defending press freedom and digital rights, Falana successfully challenged the Nigerian government’s freezing of bank accounts belonging to #ENDSARS protest leaders, exposing the illegality of the action. He also sued former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in the ECOWAS Court over the suspension of Twitter, describing it as a “provocative infringement” on freedom of expression.
His impact has been felt far beyond Nigeria. In 2008 and 2010, he secured major rulings at the ECOWAS Court against the government of The Gambia for the torture and disappearance of journalists Musah Saidykhan and Chief Ebrima Manneh under the Yahya Jammeh regime. These cases remain landmark precedents in regional human rights law.
Falana has consistently represented high-profile cases that underscore his dedication to rule of law and civil liberties. He was counsel to Omoyele Sowore, founder of Sahara Reporters, and played a critical role in the release of Jones Abiri, a Nigerian journalist detained for years without trial by state security forces.
In 2008, his exceptional contributions to human rights and criminal law were recognized with the Bernard Simons Memorial Award by the International Bar Association.
Femi Falana has also served as a keynote speaker at numerous legal conferences, including sessions of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, where his thought leadership continues to shape legal discourse in West Africa.
Through tireless litigation, advocacy, and public engagement, Femi Falana continues to be a formidable champion for justice, democracy, and human dignity across the African continent.
