“In Nigeria, citizens who protest injustice are branded criminals—while corrupt politicians who loot public funds walk free.”

Investigative Report | SpringNewsNG Media Limited, October 24,2025

In the heart of Abuja, ordinary Nigerians recently took to the streets, demanding justice and the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu. With placards bearing messages such as “Free Nnamdi Kanu”, “Stop Police Brutality”, and “Justice for All”, the protesters hoped to be heard.

Instead, they were met with the familiar response of force. Tear gas filled the air, police vans surrounded them, and arrests followed. Among those detained were Kanu’s brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore.

Their only offence: demanding justice in a country where those who steal billions of public funds roam freely without consequence.

When Justice Targets the Powerless

On October 20, 2025, the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja was violently disrupted by the police. Eleven protesters were detained alongside Kanu’s family members and counsel.

Days later, the same pattern repeated itself — Sowore was arrested inside the Federal High Court premises in Abuja after attending a court session linked to Kanu’s case.

The message was clear: in today’s Nigeria, citizens who speak out against injustice are branded as threats to public peace, while those responsible for the nation’s decline are shielded by power and political connections.

Meanwhile, the Real Criminals Walk Free

Across Nigeria, former governors, ministers, and party chieftains accused of diverting billions of naira in public funds continue to enjoy political relevance.

Below are notable examples of politicians accused of corruption during the Buhari and Tinubu administrations who have never been meaningfully prosecuted or convicted:

• Godswill Akpabio – Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and current Senate President. Accused of mismanaging over ₦108 billion during his tenure as governor. Instead of prosecution, he was rewarded with higher political office.
• Rotimi Amaechi – Former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation. Accused by his successor of diverting over $300 million in state assets. The case remains unresolved.
• Abdullahi Adamu – Former Governor of Nasarawa State and former National Chairman of the APC. Accused of misappropriating ₦15 billion. Despite this, he remains an influential political figure.
• Babachir Lawal – Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Accused of awarding contracts worth ₦223 million to companies he personally controlled. The matter was quietly buried.
• Yahaya Bello – Former Governor of Kogi State. Widely accused of looting the state’s treasury and diverting billions meant for salaries and development. Despite EFCC investigations, he remains a free man.

These names are not isolated. They represent a long list of politically connected individuals who have turned public funds into private fortunes while Nigeria sinks deeper into debt, unemployment, and insecurity.

The Nigerian Police: A Political Tool, Not a Public Protector

The Nigerian Police Force, originally established to maintain law and order, has increasingly become a tool for political suppression.

While poor citizens and protesters face arrests and violence, the police turn a blind eye to those with political power and financial influence. Selective enforcement has become the norm — where justice depends on who you know, not what you’ve done.

Bribery within the police hierarchy is an open secret. Officers allegedly receive financial inducements to delay investigations or cover up cases involving powerful politicians. Anti-graft agencies like the EFCC and ICPC often operate under political pressure, prioritizing opposition figures over those loyal to the ruling party.

As one civil rights advocate noted, “In Nigeria today, joining the ruling party is the easiest way to erase your corruption record.”

A System Built on Injustice

The unequal application of the law erodes citizens’ faith in democracy. When peaceful protesters are beaten, jailed, and silenced, but corrupt politicians are celebrated, governance becomes a performance of hypocrisy.

For Nigeria to rebuild trust in its institutions, three urgent reforms are necessary:

1. Police and Anti-Graft Independence:
   Both must operate free from political interference. Leadership appointments should be based on merit, not party loyalty.
2. Equal Application of Justice:
   The rule of law must apply to all Nigerians — rich or poor, powerful or powerless.
3. Protection of Civil Liberties:
   Peaceful protest is a constitutional right. Arresting citizens for demanding justice is an assault on democracy itself.

Conclusion

The arrests of Omoyele Sowore, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, Aloy Ejimakor, and 11 others expose the deep-rooted hypocrisy in Nigeria’s justice system.

The police have become the hand of political control, protecting corrupt politicians while punishing those who speak truth to power. Until Nigeria confronts this selective system of justice, corruption will thrive, dissent will be criminalized, and democracy will remain an illusion.