Dele’s book is a robust exposure of the justice system, but also harsh criticism of the whole of the corrupt governance system in Nigeria. As he says in his book, “the affluent and connected are rarely ever apprehended for their crimes, but the poor are routinely victimized” (xix)
We must support Dele in his case against Afe Babalola, but we have to widen his defense campaign to include his crusade against injustice and corruption. This must, at the very least, highlight the many recent cases where the judicial system has failed the common people and the oppression they often face from the police and other security forces.
These include at least a dozen #EndSARS protesters who are still in detention in Lagos awaiting trail after over four years. The many protesters from early August still being unconstitutionally detained and the Abuja 11 who are now out on bail facing ridiculous, but serious charges. There are many more detained in the IRT offices in Abuja, some for as long as nine years. There are untold number of youth and others who face daily harassment and worse from the police, soldiers and other armed security offices.
We were all horrified by the pitiful pictures of the emaciated children in the Federal High Court on Friday, 1st November. Their obvious malnutrition graphically explained why they had joined the #EndHunger and #EndBadGovernance protests in early August. Their clear hunger also demonstrated the inhumane manner of their detention over three months. Five of them were so weak that they fainted from their ordeal at the Court.
Any child is to be “subjected only to the child justice system and processes” under the Child Rights Act, 2003 (s. 204). So all the children in this case were illegally charged and detained.
Protesters were shot dead for waving Nigerian flags during the #EndSARS protests at Lekki Toll Gates four years ago. Tens were shot dead on the streets during the August protests and hundreds were arrested for flying Russian flags in Kano and other places.
In many parts of the country, including the South East, thousands of poor people face daily oppression, harassment and worse at police and army check points. There are frightening numbers of extra-judicial executions and the army claims to kill around 200 “terrorists” a month, many of these must be innocent civilians. In addition, many more are killed by regular air force bombing raids including the occasional massacres of innocent villagers. For more details see: https://socialistlabour.com.ng/2022/12/08/does-asking-the-government-to-do-more-on-security-save-lives-alex-batubo/
The case of Okuama community in Delta State is an example of the extreme violence used against the common people by the army and others. In March a community dispute was responded to with high handed intervention by the army, then the deaths of seventeen soldiers and the destruction of the community and its occupation by the army. The inhabitants fled to the bush then were housed in an internally displaced persons camp (like over three million others across 14 states). Six community leaders were arrested by the army in August and have been unconstitutionally held by the military since then. In early December, two of the elderly leaders died whilst still in custody.
For more details see this article from Punch: https://punchng.com/tension-rises-as-second-okuama-leader-dies-in-military-custody
And this letter by Femi Falana:
https://socialistlabour.com.ng/2024/04/26/falana-writes-agf-demands-end-to-human-rights-violations-in-okuama/
We are pleased that the former governor of Kogi State was eventually detained in Kuje Prison for allegedly stealing over N100 billion (although he may be bailed before Christmas). This was where the Abuja 11 and many other protesters were held earlier this year. But we know he will be able to afford to buy first class accommodation and food at the prison, unlike most of the prisoners and he was granted an early bail hearing.
We are campaigning for complete victory and vindication of Dele Farotimi in his trial. But we are also demanding that all the charges should be dropped and all the #EndSARS and more recent protesters freed. Two thirds of the people held in prison are on remand, they have not been found guilty by any court. Many others are poor people who cannot to pay fines.
The real criminals are the looters of the ruling class. The real crime is the hunger across the land – graphically depicted by the horrendous pictures of the boys in court on 1st November. In April 2019 when the minimum wage was increased to N30,000 it could buy 120kg of local rice sold loose. By May 2024, when the N70,000 minimum wage was agreed it could buy only a third as much, 43kg. In October, when the new minimum wage began to be introduced it could only buy 36 kg of local rice sold loose.
We need a complete over-haul of the justice system and the security forces that are based on the foundations laid during the colonial era. We need a system that is run by and in the interests of the common people.
