Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has accused the former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, of funding the early activities of Boko Haram.
Falana made the claim in a video making the rounds on social media.
Falana revisited comments he said he had previously made regarding the origins of the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State and dared Sheriff to sue him if the claims are false.
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.
“I am expecting him to sue me, he said he wanted to sue and Australian, you don’t need to go to Australia. What you are looking for in Sokoto is in the pocket of your Sokoto,” he said
“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.
