Femi Falana: ‘Nigerians Have A Right To Self-Defence’

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has insisted that Nigerians have a constitutional right to self-defence and to carry arms.

Femi Falana stated this in an interview with Channels TV, where he criticized the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja’s statement where he expressed his disapproval for citizens to bear arms.

Falana said “In the first place, it is not correct to say Nigerians have no right to bear arms, Apart from the fact that the penal code applicable in the North and the criminal code applicable in the South recognises the right to self-defence.

“In the first place, we have to discuss the rights and proceed to examine the propriety.

“In other words, if someone aims a gun at me, and I can quickly grab another gun, I have the right to shoot.”

Femi Falana however, said the Nigerian law provides that a license be first granted before citizens can carry arms.

“But you are required to apply for the licence first”

“I am just saying the right to self -defence which is also guaranteed by the constitution”.