Falana seeks law banning public officers from travelling abroad for medical treatment

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, says Nigeria needs a law that will ban medical tourism for public office holders.

Speaking on Thursday at a lecture and book presentation event in Lagos to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Mohammed Fawehinmi, Falana said anybody who holds public office must be treated in the country.

Mohammed, eldest son of Gani Fawehinmi, human rights activist, died on August 11, 2021.

“Enough of health tourism. Anybody who holds public office must be treated in Nigeria for any health challenge,” NAN quoted him as saying.

“Public office holders must die here.”

The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) also said citizens should interrogate the plans of the various candidates running for office in 2023.

“The business of next year is not a joke. The people must challenge their parties to address the various issues the country is facing,” he said.

“Questions should be asked on health issues, Academic Staff Union of Universities strike, insecurity, economy, and their position on all these issues, and how they plan to end them for good.

“I don’t care which party you belong to. What is important is that people should ask questions and reject the high-living conditions in the country.”

Falana described the late Mohammed Fawehinmi as a man who impacted many lives positively.

“He kept the flag flying, doing justice just like his father — a great Nigerian and a passionate human rights activist,” he added.