Prominent Nigerians Convicted Abroad: Nigeria’s Struggle with Criminal Justice and the Rule of Law

Pleas for royal pardon misguided: Calls for a royal pardon for Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, who were recently sentenced by a British court for human trafficking and organ harvesting, are misguided. Granting a pardon would reinforce Nigeria’s image as a lawless country and highlight the disparity in criminal justice between Nigeria and Britain.

Convictions of prominent Nigerians abroad: Several cases illustrate the trend of prominent Nigerians being convicted for offenses abroad that they might have escaped in Nigeria. Notably, former Delta State governor James Ibori was acquitted of money laundering charges in Nigeria but admitted to fraud charges in a British court. The recent conviction of the Ekweremadus further emphasizes this trend.

Reasons behind Nigeria’s struggle with justice: Three factors contribute to Nigeria’s challenges in holding the powerful accountable. First, politicization of regulatory and law enforcement agencies compromises their independence and leads to partisan considerations. Second, technical incompetence hampers effective investigation and prosecution, allowing cases to fizzle out. Finally, Nigerian courts often lack an understanding of the harm caused by corruption and other vices, and elements of corruption within the judiciary exacerbate the problem