The subversion takes the form of corruption, intimidation, and other forms of influence.
Timothy Adegoke, a graduate student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife was murdered at the Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Ile-Ife. Dr. Ramon Adegoke Adedoyin is the owner of Hilton Hotels and Resorts.
Yesterday, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja ruled that Adedoyin can access medical facilities of his choice for treatment. Adedoyin has been in police custody since November 15.
In Nigeria, the operation of legal, political, and regulatory institutions is subverted by the wealthy and the politically powerful for their own benefit. The subversion takes the form of corruption, intimidation, and other forms of influence.
Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader for self-determination who is in DSS custody was not allowed to go for treatment of his choice. Omoyele Sowore the human rights activist and advocate for responsible government who has been detained but released on restricted bail was denied access to treatment of his choice. Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho Yoruba freedom fighter for self-determination whose home was raided by combined armed soldiers and DSS operatives was forced to flee for his dear life to neighboring Benin Republic. Two Igboho associates were killed during the raid while other associates were arrested and detained for months. Igboho has been held captive in Benin ever since. Nigerian government wants him dead or alive!
It is instructive to emphasize that Kanu, Sowore, and Igboho were not suspects in any murder case. Whereas, Adedoyin is a prime suspect in the murder of Timothy Adegoke. The cases very clearly demonstrate that there are two systems of justice in Nigeria, one for the wealthy and powerful and another for the rest of us. It is not an accident that the poor in Nigeria are disproportionately discriminated against by our criminal justice system.
Nigeria is not the kind of country where all people are created equal. Our criminal justice system does not treat all Nigerians fairly. Nigeria is a country that values some lives more than others. It is a country that allows wealth to buy one’s way out of prison. Our laws have lost legitimacy and compliance resulting in lawlessness. Justice is not a priority in our criminal justice system. In Nigeria, the arc of moral universe bends towards injustice.
Nigeria is not one country. We are made up of different states. We are not bound by one Constitution. We speak different languages. We pray in different ways. In these uncertain days, we are not bold enough to confront the divisions within our diverse citizenry. There’s no cohesiveness of our national identity and unity. We proudly deny what differentiates and separates us. We stubbornly reject national discourse that can provide the foundation for a stronger, more united, and more just Nigeria. It is not only foolish but hilarious to pray for unity, peace, progress, and prosperity without justice. Nigeria is headed for the inevitability- disintegration.