Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights activist, has charged Peter Obi, former Anambra governor and Labour Party chieftain, to take urgent legal action over Governor Monday Okpebholo’s threat to his life.

In a statement on Sunday, Mr Falana cited mob justice and extrajudicial killings in the country, charging Mr Obi to take swift legal actions should Mr Okphebholo refuse to withdraw the threat against his life.

“Mr Peter Obi should proceed to file an application in the Benin Judicial Division of the Federal High Court to secure the enforcement of his fundamental right to life,” Mr Falana said. “Mr Obi should act with utmost urgency in view of the prevalence of mob justice and other forms of extrajudicial killings in the country.”

The lawyer said Mr Okphebholo’s threat to Mr Obi’s life violates the Nigerian constitution.

“The threat to the life of Mr Peter Obi issued by the ‘new sheriff in town’ in Edo State, constitutes a violation of section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples (Ratification and Enforcement) which guarantee the fundamental right of every citizen to life,” Mr Falana said.

Asking Mr Okpebholo to withdraw the statement and tender a public apology to Mr Obi, Mr Falana said “In view of section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, which stipulates that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, Governor Okpebholo should withdraw the threat, apologise publicly to Mr Peter Obi and assure him of the safety of his life in Edo State.”

This comes days after Mr. Okphebolo said Mr. Obi’s security would not be guaranteed if he visited Edo State without his approval.

“The man wey say him no get shishi, I’m sending a direct message to him. There is a new sheriff in town. He cannot enter without telling me. Because his security will never be guaranteed,” Mr Okphebolo warned in a viral video on Friday.

He added, “Whatever happens to him when he is in Edo State, let him take it. I’m serious about it. He came the other day and donated N15million. By the time he left, there was a crisis, and three people died in Benin. So, tell Obi he should not come to Edo without telling me.”