Justice should not Remain Blind in Nigeria!

Justice should not Remain Blind in Nigeria!  

The phrase “Justice is Blind” or in Latin “Justitia est Caecus” implies that justice is objective and unbiased. Justice is expected to be administered impartially, without regard for race, gender, ethnicity, religion, education, or background. The phrase also speaks to how judges, juries, and law enforcement make decisions. The expectation is that decisions are made based on careful fact-finding, thorough investigation, and reasonable/logical deduction. However, in Nigeria, it appears that justice is not blind, but rather turns a ‘blind eye’ to the plight of many of its citizens.

Nigeria is currently regarded as one of the most dangerous and insecure places to visit/live in the world. According to the Council on Foreign Relations’ Nigeria Security Tracker (NST), 3,841 people were reported killed by non-state actors in 2023, with 4,243 others kidnapped. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) advises “against all travel to parts of Nigeria” because “terrorists are very likely to try and carry out attacks in Nigeria.” With ongoing threats from Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) and Boko Haram, Nigeria remains a ‘hotbed’ for kidnappings, killings, and terrorist attacks.

Recent killings in Plateau state serve as an example of terrorism. On Christmas eve, 2023, the people of the Bokkos, Barkin-Ladi and Mangu areas of the state were subjected to simultaneous devastating attacks across several communities. According to an investigation launched by the International Organisation of Peace Building and Social Justice (“PSJUK”), the attackers killed 331 people and injured 153. By doing so, they displaced 1,868 households and 13,310 people. Less than a month later, on January 23, 2024, another atrocity occurred when insurgents attacked the Mangu Local Government Area, killing people and wiping out families. These ongoing mass -atrocities against Nigerians are unacceptable and unconscionable.

The Right to Life is a fundamental right that all Nigerians should have. After all, it is enshrined in Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). Section 33(1) of the Constitution states that “every person has a right to life, and no one shall be intentionally deprived of his/her life…”. Beyond the Nigerian Constitution, the Fundamental Right to Life is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. Despite these provisions, Nigeria’s insurgents continue to break the law, flagrantly disregarding the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and international regulations. Worryingly, there are no tangible, transparent consequences to these illegal activities. Unfortunately, these killings in Plateau continue to signal what is quickly becoming the norm across swathes of the nation, and it is past time for state and federal officials to take impactful action to ‘Stop The Killings’ & ‘Bring Peace’.

With the Nigerian leadership currently failing to fulfil its primary responsibility to its own people (the ‘Responsibility to Protect’),  this piece is a clarion call to all Nigerians in the diaspora to assist our downtrodden brothers, sisters, and fellow human beings back home. It is time for REAL change!

As a result, our call to action is urgently required and must be swift, just, and powerful. PSJUK was founded specifically to address this issue and seek this change. PSJUK’s mission is to engage national and international institutions in order to persistently advocate for justice, peace, and human rights, particularly in marginalised communities. The charity’s vision is to be a trusted ally and primary supporter of peacebuilding and social justice in all Nigerian communities.

As Nigerians in the diaspora, we have the power to effect the change we so desperately want by supporting PSJUK. This support can take the form of donations, pledges, contributions, and/or volunteering.

This support action is required because “change will not occur if we wait for another person or a different time. We are who we have been waiting for.’’ Barack Obama stated, “We are the change that we seek.”

With the weight and might of the Nigerian Diaspora behind an organisation like PSJUK, justice can no longer be denied in Nigeria and justice cannot remain blind to the disadvantage of ordinary Nigerians either!

Abiola Aderibigbe volunteers as General Counsel with PSJUK – A UK-based advocacy charity mobilizing Nigerians in the diaspora to be influencers for positive change.  www.PSJUK.org