Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has repeated allegations linking former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, to the early activities of the Boko Haram insurgent group, challenging the former governor to institute legal action if he believes the claims are false.
The allegations were made in a video circulating on social media in which Falana revisited comments he said he had previously made regarding the origins of the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State.
According to Falana, Sheriff allegedly provided financial support to the group and entered into a political arrangement with its members during the 2003 governorship election.
“Not only did he sponsor that organisation by providing funds for them, in 2003 he had a deal with the Boko Haram sect to get him to win the election,” Falana alleged.
He further claimed that after winning the election, the former governor appointed Buji Foi as Commissioner for Religious Affairs before the commissioner later resigned from the administration.
Falana also alleged that Sheriff was arrested in Cameroon over alleged links to Boko Haram before being released, and referenced previous claims made by the late Reverend Stephen Davis, who had publicly alleged that some prominent Nigerians funded the insurgent group.
Ali Modu Sheriff has, on several occasions, denied allegations linking him to Boko Haram.
There has been no court judgment establishing his involvement in the activities of the insurgent group.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no immediate reaction from the former governor to Falana’s latest remarks.
