TheCable

Femi Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and human rights activist, says he is humbled by the love President Muhammadu Buhari showed to him on his birthday.

Falana turned 60 on May 20 and Buhari congratulated the lawyer in a message issued on his behalf by Femi Adesina, his spokesman.

The president prayed that God would grant the human rights campaigner longer life, good health and more wisdom to keep serving the country.

In a statement on Thursday, Falana requested release of Nigerians detained “illegally” across the country, as a special birthday gift.

“I thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his wishes and prayers for me, but the birthday gift which I humbly ask from the Federal Government is more commitment to respect for human rights and rule of law,” he said.
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“In particular, all Nigerian citizens, who are being detained illegally in the country should be freed without any further delay.”

Falana has written several letters to the president over the detention of Ibraheem Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), as well as other people in custody.