Falana decries “criminal negligence”, plans to rally lawyers to prosecute those responsible for the deaths
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN has lamented the death of more than 105 people in stampedes over food and cash handouts across states, attributing the tragedies to “poverty-induced neoliberal economic policies” and “criminal negligence” of the government and event organisers.
He announced plans to rally lawyers to file civil lawsuits against organisers of such events that cost lives.
Stampedes in Oyo, Abuja, and Anambra led to the deaths in recent days, although that of Oyo occurred in a children’s funfair.
In Ondo, the government has issues directives to event organisers to head off such disasters and warned it would prosecute those who fail to follow the rules.
Falana, who chairs the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), detailed the incidents and called for justice in a statement released on Sunday.
“These tragic events are a national shame. The victims were not just statistics but human beings driven to desperation by systemic poverty and the gross incompetence of those entrusted with their safety,” he stressed.
The latest of the tragedies occurred on December 21 in Okija, Anambra where 12 people died and 32 others were injured when hungry folks scrambled for rice distributed by a philanthropist.
The same day, up North, a stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja, claimed 10 lives, including children, as more than 3,000 people jostled for food palliatives.
Two days earlier, on December 19, some 35 children were crushed to death at a Christmas funfair in Ibadan.
Falana said: “The loss of these innocent lives is heart-wrenching. It underscores the indignity that poverty imposes on our people.”
In April, nine people died in Sokoto at the residence of former Governor Aliyu Wamakko during a chaotic distribution of food palliatives.
In March, seven people, including an eight-year-old girl, lost their lives at a charity event in Bauchi where ₦5,000 cash gifts were being distributed. Days earlier, two students died and 23 were injured when Nasarawa state government distributed similar palliatives at Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
The tragic pattern dates back to 22 May 2022 when 30 people died in Port Harcourt at a church charity event marred by overcrowding.
Falana criticised the elite for their treatment of the poor during such events.
“No member of the elite invites others to lunch by throwing the food,” he said, condemning “class prejudice” in humanitarian aid distribution.
He announced plans by ASCAB to mobilise lawyers to file civil lawsuits against organisers of these events.
“We will ensure survivors and families of the deceased are adequately compensated. Those responsible for these avoidable tragedies must be held accountable.”
“Enough is enough! These events reflect the harsh realities of inequality in our nation and the urgent need for systemic reforms to protect the dignity and lives of our citizens.”
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Ondo issues rules to event organisers to stave off stampedes and deaths