Malcolm Emokiniovo Omirhobo, a lawyer and political analyst, claims that the life sentence imposed on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has revealed the unsettling reality of Nigeria’s two-tiered legal system, which punishes some citizens brutally while protecting others who commit similar or worse crimes in plain sight.
According to Omirhobo, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who openly associates with armed bandit groups, negotiates with terrorists, defends their actions, makes inflammatory public statements, and positions himself as their public relations officer, continues to walk freely without a police invitation despite Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest, detention, trial, and conviction.
Citing Sections 17, 36, and 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee equality before the law, equal protection for all people, and freedom from discrimination in law enforcement, he pointed out that this conflict is not just morally repugnant but unlawful.
However, in modern Nigeria, one individual gets jailed for speech while another who regularly interacts with terrorists is hailed as a “mediator,” according to a statement that Omirhobo personally signed.
Ten things you should know about Nigerian newspapers Early on Friday morning This is not the rule of law, the statement said in part. Selective discretion governs this.
Nnamdi Kanu: charged with broadcasting provocative content;
arrested under extraordinary rendition, charged, tried, and found guilty; denied regular access to justice for years.
A survivor of the Yelwata attack testifies before the US Congress, saying, “I watched my five children slaughtered.” Sheikh Ahmad Gumi: Unrestrictedly enters terrorist camps;
encounters armed criminals who commit kidnappings and mass murders;
publicly supports them while consistently jeopardizing national security.
ZERO arrests. There is no prosecution. There is no accountability.
“Direct contact, negotiation, and support of armed groups are significantly more serious offenses if broadcasts are considered terrorism. Nigeria cannot pretend to be combating terrorism while rewarding those who openly support terrorists.
“Justice must be perceived to be done in addition to being carried out. In this scenario, it is plainly not observed.
“I demand that all people be treated equally by the Federal Government, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force, irrespective of their political objective, ethnicity, or religion.
Examine Sheikh Ahmad Gumi’s candid interactions with terrorist organizations. Put an end to the selective prosecution culture that has come to define governance. Rebuild public trust in the legal system by exhibiting impartiality and fairness.
“A country cannot claim to be combating insecurity while shielding people who associate with those responsible for the country’s misery. A blatant example of double standards is the conviction of Nnamdi Kanu while Sheikh Gumi is unpunished.
“The Nigerian government’s efforts to combat insecurity would be jeopardized unless it shows that the law is indifferent to religion and ethnicity. Equal justice is required. Justice needs to be consistent.
Justice needs to be blind. Anything less is unfair.
