Human rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has lauded President Bola Tinubu and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Tosin Ajayi, for the arraignment of nine prime suspects linked to the recent killings in Benue and Plateau States.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Adeyanju described the move as a “welcome step” that offers hope to victims and affected communities that justice would be served.
“I wish to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Director-General of the DSS for the arraignment of nine prime suspects linked to the tragic killings in Benue and Plateau states. This is a welcome step that gives hope to the affected communities that justice will be done and that the lost lives will not be forgotten,” he said.
Adeyanju, however, urged authorities not to limit justice to isolated cases, but to expand protection for Nigerians across the country who are daily victims of banditry and violence.
“This moment also serves as an opportunity to call for the protection of Nigerians who are killed daily by bandits all over the country and also speed up the process of either releasing innocent people in custody of security agencies or charge those with a case to answer to court speedily,” he stressed.
The activist further expressed concern over the plight of citizens detained for long periods without trial. According to him, the practice not only causes hardship for families but also undermines the integrity of the justice system.
“Citizens cannot continue to spend years in custody without charge. Too often, people are held in detention for long periods without being charged, and their families go through needless suffering. Justice delayed in this way affects both the innocent and the justice system itself,” Adeyanju added.
He called for reforms that would guarantee timely investigations and prosecutions, insisting that such measures would “reinforce the credibility of our justice system and restore the confidence of the public in our institutions.”
