By Our Reporter
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – A human rights lawyer, Maxwell Opara, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop the Federal Government’s reintegration of repentant insurgents, arguing that the process violates Nigeria’s laws and constitutional provisions.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/837/2026 and filed on April 23, Opara is asking the court to restrain the Nigerian Army from continuing its Operation Safe Corridor programme, which rehabilitates and reintegrates former insurgents into society.
Disclosing this on his Facebook page on Friday, Barr Maxwell said the respondents in the case include President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Army, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Opara is also seeking a mandatory court order compelling the Attorney-General to initiate criminal prosecution against over 700 former members of Boko Haram, insisting that their release without trial undermines justice.
According to the lawyer, the reintegration of the ex-fighters without prior prosecution, conviction, or sentencing contravenes the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
He is asking the court to declare the programme unlawful, unconstitutional, and a breach of the rule of law. He further argued that neither the Nigerian Army nor the Attorney-General has the legal authority to grant what he described as “de facto amnesty” to individuals accused of terrorism, murder, kidnapping, and other violent crimes without legislative backing or judicial oversight.
In his affidavit, Opara stated that more than 700 individuals identified as former Boko Haram members had already been released under the programme without undergoing trial in any court of competent jurisdiction.
He warned that the failure to prosecute such suspects could erode public confidence in the justice system and pose serious risks to public safety.
“The reintegration of untried insurgents poses a real and substantial threat to citizens whose rights to life, dignity, and personal liberty are guaranteed under the Constitution,” he argued.
Opara also contended that the actions of the Nigerian Army amount to a violation of the doctrine of separation of powers and an encroachment on judicial authority.
He urged the court to intervene in the interest of justice, national security, and the preservation of the rule of law.
As of the time of filing this report, no judge has been assigned to hear the case.
