A human rights lawyer, Maxwell Opara, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to halt the reintegration of repentant insurgents into society, describing the process as unconstitutional and a threat to public safety.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/837/2026, Opara is challenging the actions of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Army, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, whom he named as respondents.
The plaintiff is asking the court to issue an order restraining the military from continuing its reintegration initiative under Operation Safe Corridor, pending the determination of the case.
Opara is also seeking a mandatory order compelling the Attorney-General to initiate criminal prosecution against over 700 former members of the Boko Haram who have reportedly been reintegrated into society.
According to him, such prosecution should be carried out in line with the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and other relevant laws.
The lawyer is asking the court to determine whether the reintegration of the ex-insurgents—without criminal trial, conviction, or sentencing—is consistent with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and existing criminal justice laws.
He further seeks a declaration that the programme is unlawful, unconstitutional, and a violation of the rule of law, arguing that neither the Nigerian Army nor the Attorney-General has the legal authority to grant immunity or amnesty to individuals accused of terrorism and other grave offences without legislative backing or judicial oversight.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, Opara stated that more than 700 individuals linked to Boko Haram had been released and reintegrated without undergoing due legal process.
“I know that many of the said individuals are reasonably suspected to have participated in acts constituting terrorism, murder, kidnapping and other grave offences under Nigerian law,” he said.
He argued that the failure to prosecute such individuals undermines public confidence in the justice system and violates the constitutional principle that judicial powers are vested exclusively in the courts.
Opara also warned that reintegrating untried insurgents poses significant risks to public safety and could infringe on citizens’ fundamental rights, including the right to life, dignity, and personal liberty.
He urged the court to intervene urgently, stating that the continued implementation of the programme could have far-reaching implications for national security and the rule of law.
As of the time of filing this report, no judge has been assigned to hear the case.
