A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has urged the Federal Government to move beyond diplomatic condemnations and institute legal proceedings against South Africa over the alleged killings and mistreatment of Nigerians in the country.
Falana’s call followed the reported killing of a Nigerian cleric, Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle, in Johannesburg on September 4.
According to the Senior Advocate, Fakunle was shot dead by unknown gunmen at his residence after reportedly receiving threats.
Less than 24 hours later, another Nigerian, James Uchechukwu Nwankwo, reportedly died following alleged interrogation by officers of the South African Police Service.
Falana, citing comments attributed to Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, said the two deaths had brought the number of Nigerians allegedly killed in South Africa in 2026 to eight, with four reportedly killed by South African security personnel.
He further claimed that more than 100 Nigerians had been killed in South Africa between 2022 and 2026, including more than 30 allegedly killed by officers of the South African Police Service and the South African Defence Force.
Falana said that despite repeated concerns raised by the Nigerian government, no one had been arrested, prosecuted or brought to justice over the alleged killings.
He argued that Nigeria had both constitutional and international human rights obligations to protect its citizens and seek justice whenever their rights were violated abroad.
The Senior Advocate therefore called on the Federal Government to institute an interstate case against South Africa before the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
He maintained that legal action was necessary to ensure accountability and protect Nigerians living in or visiting South Africa.
