In a recent video on Channels Television from 0:06, prominent Nigerian human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has clarified that displaying a foreign flag in public is not a criminal offense under Nigerian law.
Speaking in response to recent controversies, Falana emphasized that raising the flag of any nation, including during a public march, does not constitute a violation of the law. “Don’t waste your time,” he stated firmly. “It is not—quote me and challenge any lawyer—it is not a criminal offense in Nigeria today to raise any country’s flag.”
Falana cited examples to back up his claim, pointing out that hotels and other establishments frequently display the flags of countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany as a symbol of international appeal. “Any hotel out there hosts the flag of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany—all of them—because they want to look international,” he noted. The lawyer also referenced the common practice among certain Nigerian churches of displaying Israel’s flag, underscoring that such displays are widespread and not illegal.
According to him, “Don’t waste your time. It is not—quote me and challenge any lawyer—it is not a criminal offense in Nigeria today to raise any country’s flag. No, in a public march, that is. If you don’t believe me, go out there. Any hotel out there hosts the flag of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany—all of them—because they want to look international.