Analysis
Return of military rule to West Africa & what political class must do to save democracy ~ by Law Mefor

Return of military rule to West Africa and what the political class must do to save democracy
By Law Mefor
A pro-democracy organisation called Save Democracy Group – West Africa (SDG–WA) recently issued a press statement alerting the public to the ongoing military takeovers that have occurred in West Africa and Africa since 2020, as well as the pressing necessity to preserve democracy in the West African sub-region.
In fact, since 2020, the military has overturned the governments of seven African countries: Mali, Chad, Guinea, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon and Guinea. A coup attempt was almost successful not so long ago in Sierra Leone, where numerous people are currently on trial for the incident and that country’s former president Ernest Bai Koroma just arrived in Nigeria for asylum for his alleged involvement.
SDG-WA also brought attention to the increasing percentage of Africans who said they would welcome military rule returning to their countries. These irate Africans, who saw coupists as their saviours, thought that military rule would be preferable to democracy in their nations. They justify it by saying that politicians have desecrated democracy. They are not wrong altogether.
This is concerning, to be sure, and raises the important question of why the military is returning to the continent. The response to that question must be given in all sincerity, or else those who fight to preserve democracy will have an uphill battle. We know from history that military intervention often occurs when there is a public outcry against poor governance, which typically serves as an open invitation to the armed forces.
Political leaders have also occasionally invited the military to settle grudges or bring a nation back that they believed was lost. Regardless, the crux of the matter is that African democracy’s shortcomings and lackluster outcomes stem from the way it has been implemented, not from the nature of democracy as such.
Making a distinction between democracy and democracy in practice is crucial. This is significant because it’s common knowledge that democracy in Africa has failed to deliver development in most instances. These poor outcomes that people cite as evidence of democracy’s failure are in reality the product of abuse of democracy. Numerous nations across the world, including India, have demonstrated exceptional outcomes in their democratic practices. So, why can’t Africa?
It is essential to note that the population of India is four times larger and more diverse than that of Nigeria. Yet, India, unlike Nigeria and Africa, has answered all of its issues about nationhood, which is what is preventing Nigeria and Africa from progressing further in all areas of development.
Those concerned ought to be more interested in figuring out why democracy is failing throughout the continent and what needs to change for it to succeed. The success and advancement of democracy in several other nations indicate that there are still issues with African democracy that need to be resolved if the continent is to reap the benefits of it.
Democracy, for instance, is characterised by things like votes counting, free and fair elections, due process, and freedom of choice. Has this been the norm throughout Africa, with the possible exception of South Africa, Egypt, and to some extent Ghana and Liberia in the West African sub-region?
Nigeria has been a key player in ensuring that democracy functions throughout Africa. However, Nigeria has not been a good example of democratic practice since colonial times. Those in charge of election security, the electoral umpires, and others have all conspired to taint Nigerian elections with obvious anomalies, rigging, and violence in Nigeria. It is impossible to say that these heinous acts, which have marred Nigeria’s elections, are what democracy is all about. Politicians from Nigeria or other African countries fighting for state capture, introduced them to blight democracy on the continent.
Although West Africa has seen both military and civil rule, the sub-region is currently under pressure to return to total military rule despite the tragedies and glaring underdevelopment of the sub-region caused by military rule. There are compelling grounds opposing the push to reestablish military rule over the West African sub-region but such arguments must be reconciled against the underwhelming performance of democracy in Africa.
Naturally, Nigeria has to provide leadership for the stabilisation of West Africa, the advancement of democracy in the region, and the repulsion of military takeovers and coupists. Nigeria as a medium power has to guide West Africa by upholding democracy, peace, and stability across the sub-region.
Nigerian leaders needed to be reminded of the vital role that their country has played and should continue to play in Africa, a role that has subsequently been acknowledged by the United Nations and the African Union.
Nigeria has been in leadership of UN peacekeeping missions since the country’s colonial era and was instrumental in the overthrow of apartheid in South Africa and the establishment of democracy in the Boer nation. Nigeria was instrumental in the establishment and functioning of ECOWAS, an organisation whose primary goal is to safeguard democracy and protect constitutional governments in the sub-region. Nigeria also brought democracy back to Liberia and Sierra Leone and committed a large number of men and huge resources in the process.
Strangely, despite Nigeria’s struggles to keep democracy alive in West Africa, the country hasn’t exactly demonstrated how democracy can lead to progress. The argument made by those who are advocating for the preservation of democracy need to understand that democracy without development is useless. If democracy just brings impunity, corruption, insecurity, and underdevelopment, then what good is it? Every African political leader needs to respond to this question.
Military control is inherently authoritarian, which lends credence to the saying that “the worst form of democracy is better than the best form of military rule.” However, democracy must guarantee good governance and bring prosperity and happiness to a larger number of people to be justifiable. Except in a few isolated instances, this has not been the case throughout Africa.
No doubt, democracy will prevail despite its challenges because it offers peace and stability, but it has to be properly operated. Democracy is currently thought to be the best form of government in the world, and for good reason. Democratic societies, among other things, protect free expression, enforce the rule of law, establish stable political regimes and terms of office, conduct free and fair elections, and support press and media independence.
Using Nigeria as an example, the sub-region has suffered severely from military rule. The diverse military regimes had a disastrous effect on the economies of African countries. Since human life is the most valuable resource in the world, any system that endangers or ignores it should be abolished since it is evil and harmful. This is a summary of the advantages of democratic rule over military control; nevertheless, democracy also has to bring about growth and good governance for democracy to be worthwhile.
The use of military force to maintain law and order results in the dehumanisation and depersonalisation of civilians. The military will never treat civilian equivalents as equals and despise them, calling them “Bloody civilians.” As a result, no one ought to court a system that holds citizens as subhuman.
The consolidation of power in the hands of one individual has always been harmful throughout human history; the Nigerian example is scarcely exceptional in this regard. No human being is deserving of absolute control over the rights and lives of citizens, let alone the authority of a state. Military rule is unaccountable, arbitrary, brutal, and severe.
Nigeria, the propeller in both the financial and non-financial spheres in ECOWAS, is already fulfilling this significant role of keeping the military at bay on the ECOWAS platform. However, a lot more vigorous work needs to be done in this regard. Nigeria, the most populous nation of African origin globally, should take a cue from the United States’ Good Neighbour Policy and be more proactive.
In summary, to advance democracy and stability in the sub-region, Nigeria must insist on democracy and help fix terms or terms for the presidents of the member nations. The African people have to choose their leaders and representatives through free, fair, and credible elections, and demonstrate the same in Nigerian elections.
Nigeria has to guide West Africa in opposing the presidents of the subcontinent who wish to amend their countries’ constitutions to extend their terms in office.
Luckily, ECOWAS is currently led by Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has to take the lead in the task of resetting the sub-regional organisation. To prevent the military from returning to West Africa or even Africa, he is in a position to put the necessary frameworks in place and set an ambitious agenda that would reposition the West African sub-region to assure good governance and the delivery of democracy dividends. If these are not done, military intervention will continue to be seen by many as only necessary.
Dr. Law Mefor, an Abuja-based forensic and social psychologist, is a fellow of The Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts; drlawmefor@gmail.com; Twitter: @Drlawsonmefor.
Analysis
Why Penis Size Does Not Affect Performance, Fertility — Experts

For countless men, penis size stirs deep anxiety fed by social media, locker-room banter, and pressure from adult content.
But sex experts and urologists agree: size rarely determines sexual function or fertility.
In a revealing conversation with PUNCH Healthwise, clinical sexologist Cecilia Agu and consultant urologist Dr. Gabriel Ogah broke down the myths emphasizing emotional connection, overall health, and sperm quality as far more meaningful indicators of sexual well-being.
Sexual Satisfaction Lies Beyond Size
Agu, who specializes in human sexology, has heard the insecurities countless times. Yet she insists that the fixation on size overshadows what truly matters in intimate relationships.
“Women value intimacy, chemistry, and creativity not centimeters,” she explained, her tone both compassionate and pragmatic.
“In most cases, size doesn’t determine performance or biological capacity. Only rare, clinically significant conditions impact size.”
She points to societal myths that equate larger size with virility.
“Historic portrayals in art and literature, and today’s media, amplify stereotypes. Pornography exaggerates, turning a normal variation into unreasonable expectations.”
Agu also cautioned against the booming market selling “enhancement” remedies.
“That industry profits off insecurity peddling pills, gadgets, and herbal supplements with no proven benefit.
The real dilemma lies in emotional weariness, not physical deficiency.”
She acknowledged true medical conditions like micropenis, often linked to hormonal or genetic causes but emphasized their rarity.
“Anyone worried about hormonal imbalances or developmental issues should seek professional evaluation,” she advised.
“Fertility Is Unrelated to Size” Dr. Gabriel Ogah
Dr. Ogah, a respected urologist, offered a no-nonsense medical perspective on the fertility question.
“A small penis doesn’t reduce a man’s ability to impregnate a woman,” he stated firmly.
“If sperm is healthy and ejaculation occurs, fertilization can happen.”
He added that many young men consult him out of anxiety sparked by unrealistic comparisons.
“Almost always, their size falls within healthy norms. It’s undue stress, fueled by exposure to distorted media portrayals.”
Dr. Ogah also debunked the idea that older men can “restore” diminishing function through enhancement products.
“As absurd as it sounds, many try. But no pill or serum can permanently alter anatomy.
These are myths masquerading as solutions.”
So What Truly Matters?
Both experts agree: prioritizing overall health, emotional intimacy, and stress-free communication far outweighs anxiety over size.
Agu stressed that sex is about connection, not metrics. “Being nervous about measurements sets couples up for dissatisfaction.
But when you focus on pleasure, emotional safety, and experimentation, the experience transforms.”
Dr. Ogah echoed this, emphasizing regular health check-ups. “Good cardiovascular health, balanced hormones, and mental well-being are key. Size doesn’t affect that.”
Dispelling the Myths, Sustaining the Confidence
As myths dissolve under scientific clarity, a bigger concern emerges: how do we nurture a culture free of body shaming? Agu proposed educational steps.
“We should teach young people that anatomy varies. Performance is multi-dimensional. Communication trumps comparison every time.”
Dr. Ogah endorsed that sentiment. “Let’s shift the narrative. Appreciate function over form. Listen to your body, and care for it through healthy living.”
Performance Isn’t About Inches
Size remains largely irrelevant when partners are emotionally in sync, focused on connection, and attuned to shared pleasure.
Fertility hinges on sperm health not size.
Medical concerns like micropenis are rare, but deserve medical evaluation.
Media, culture, and marketing distort reality. Let’s counter that with facts.
Confidence and sexual well-being stem from health, honesty, and intimacy not obsession with size.
In the end, as Agu beautifully summed up, “It’s not the size it’s how you share it.” That truth holds far more value than any number on a measuring tape.

You have to suspend emotional reasoning if you want to relate to this commentary. Like a child, be pure in your heart and see Soludo and Peter Obi as two students competing for the best result to gain a sole scholarship.
The sole scholarship is up for grabs, and they are fighting for the best grade. Today, I want to discourse about two competitive students.
Let me get rid of allusion and be more direct.
Soludo and Obi are in a healthy competition for who will champion the Igbo presidency struggle. The two are fantastic options. I don’t have a choice yet, but let’s take a factual look into the prospects.
The Soludo you see in Anambra State Government House is using that position as a template and constructing his path to the presidency. There is a reason he is performing, and there is a possibility he will outperform Peter Obi by the time his eight years come to an end.
The scholarship in this context is the presidential office. An Igbo president is being considered, and the scorecards of all Igbo governors are being assessed.
When you wonder how Soludo is able to construct roads. Pay civil servants. Employ more teachers, and build infrastructure and social amenities. Establish a security outfit to fight insecurity. Provide multiple skill acquisitions and fund Anambra youths to make ends meet with the free skills acquired, free antenatal and post-antenatal care, free education, and hospitals for each local government with almost zero borrowing, and then you can start to see the bigger picture.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo is going to break more records in his second term. Frankly, I don’t want to talk about the coming governorship election because there is practically no election happening; it’s a one-horse race election.
If you keenly look at what Governor Chukwuma Soludo has achieved in his first term with almost zero borrowing, you would be forced to ask, “How is it possible?”
Past governors borrowed hundreds of billions and ended up constructing roads, but Chukwuma Soludo, throughout his 3.5 years, has constructed more roads and constructed a new government house. Touched social amenities and infrastructures, even funded youths like a father funds his sons after enrolling them in a school of skills acquisition. The roads he is constructing are more durable.
Soludo in three and a half years has practically done great in the state. Discussing with my friend, who told me that the governor is setting a new standard, I objected to him and made it clear that it would be hard for other governors to follow in his footsteps.
When Soludo came up with his tax initiative, the pain was sharp, but over time, it appears to have subsided because he is using the taxpayers’ money for projects in the state.
Soludo’s predecessor left an almost empty purse, and borrowing was inevitable, but his determination to run a government of inclusive financial responsibility led him to raise money within the state and use it judiciously.
Governor Alex Otti borrows hundreds of billions of Naira and constructs a road in Aba; social media obedients hail him like he had done any extraordinary thing, but when Soludo does even more without borrowing, the extraordinary achievement is met with deafening silence from them.
On social media, obedients have become mediocre and hypocritical. This is a fact and not criticism.
Peter Obi needs to come clean and end politics of emotion and pity. He is not a strategist, and one wonders how he would succeed in the strategic arena of Nigerian politics. If he continues to whip up emotions and sentiments with the hope of taking advantage of the two to win the Nigerian presidential election, then he is dreaming.
Soludo, on the other hand, is a strategist and realistic person. He is devoid of sentiment and embraces the toughness needed to lead. He tells you what he wants or will do and quickly proceeds to execution. Above all, he doesn’t claim to be holier than thou.
He contested the governorship election in 2010 against Peter Obi; after he lost the election, he went back and strategized. He waited and identified the right persons and won the election on the second attempt. That’s a strategic approach to execution.
Slimy characters who play the holier-than-thou game end up turning into beasts once given the mantra.
For instance, Peter Obi attended Rev. Father Mbaka’s fundraising service, but when called to donate money, he deceitfully objected. Why did he attend in the first place, and why can’t he donate like others? Because he wants to play the holier-than-thou game.
Like Soludo, Obi tried during his term as a governor. He saved money for the state, and that was his signature deed as a governor. But what is the essence of saving state money you could easily invest to help the people or maximize the stakes of the state?
My brother once told me that a man that runs every day to save his money in a bank is a man who doesn’t know what to do with the money he has. He said he would rather invest his money in something for inflow and outflow than primitively save it.
Soludo is someone that bares his mind irrespective of the odds against him. But I am afraid of Peter Obi’s cunning lifestyle.
Mr. Peter Obi has constantly said he didn’t borrow money during his term in office, but available records say otherwise. That is where my fear lies. Do we truly know who Peter Obi is? An angel you don’t know is not better than a devil you know. This is my stream of thought, and I have evidence.
When the Pandora Papers were leaked, to my greatest surprise, Peter Obi’s name was there, but we all feigned ignorance of the implication. Why was our spotless Messiah’s name on the list of those who hide their money to evade taxes? What was Peter hiding?
By virtue of the Pandora Papers, Peter has something in his cupboard. He should stop telling us about wearing only one pair of shoes. About not living lavishly. About not sleeping in five-star hotels and others. If he doesn’t do all these but has money hidden somewhere, those that do all he doesn’t do are better than him.
In this journey, we want a devil we know and not an angel we don’t know.
Before I end this commentary, I want to draw a significant line of comparison between these two students.
Soludo inherited Biafra-related insecurity. Peter Obi created Biafra-related insecurity during his term in office.
Soludo is fighting and dislodging camps of UGM in Anambra State without any major massacre. Peter Obi, during his time as governor, recorded the Ezu River massacre, etcetera.
Despite facing significant inherited security challenges, Soludo has not pressed the panic button by declaring endless curfews across the state. Under Peter, Anambra recorded curfews that threw the state in fear. Youths were massacred for having tribal marks in the process.
On the borrowing debate that Mr. Peter Obi put forward as the greatest thing he achieved in Anambra. I asked AI to gather all the official records of Anambra finances during his 8-year rule. Below is the verdict. AI says Mr. Peter Obi is a liar.
AI’s Verdict:
Records of Anambra State Finances from 2006 to 2014
Based on available data from official sources like the Nigerian Debt Management Office (DMO), secondary analyses (e.g., StatiSense, BudgIT reports), and fact-check reports, below is a summary of Anambra State’s financial records focusing on debt profiles during Peter Obi’s governorship (March 2006 to March 2014). Note that comprehensive year-by-year financial statements (e.g., full budgets, revenues, expenditures) are not always publicly detailed in accessible formats for every year, but debt data is the most relevant and available metric for assessing borrowing. Data inconsistencies exist across sources (e.g., due to reporting methods or updates), so I’ve noted sources and prioritized DMO-derived figures where possible.
Key Financial Context
Revenue and Budget Trends: Anambra’s annual budgets grew from approximately ₦66 billion in 2007 to ₦110 billion in 2014, driven by federal allocations, internally generated revenue (IGR), and grants. IGR increased from ₦4.5 billion in 2006 to ₦10.4 billion in 2013, reflecting Obi’s emphasis on fiscal prudence. Obi claimed to have left ₦75 billion in savings (including cash and investments) upon handover, though this is disputed as including overvalued assets or liabilities.
Overall Fiscal Performance: Anambra was rated the least indebted state by DMO in 2013-2014 relative to peers, with low debt-to-revenue ratios. However, debt obligations existed and fluctuated.
Sources Used: DMO reports (via secondary extractions like StatiSense and fact-checks), BudgIT’s “Nigeria’s Debt Status” PDF (2019), NBS reports, and verified fact-checks (e.g., Guardian, ICIR).
No full 2006-2010 domestic debt figures were directly extractable from DMO PDFs due to access limitations, but trends are inferred from available data.
Debt Records (External and Domestic)
Debt is divided into external (foreign loans, e.g., from the World Bank, multilateral agencies) and domestic (local borrowings, e.g., from banks or bonds). Figures show Anambra had inherited debt in 2006, with some increases during Obi’s tenure.
External Debt (in USD millions, sourced from DMO via StatiSense reports):
2006: $18.87 (inherited at start of tenure)
2008: $18.89 (minimal change)
2010: $21.30 (slight increase)
2012: $24.45
2013: $30.32 (per DMO fact-check data)
2014: $45.15 (end of tenure; note: Obi left office in March 2014, so part of this may reflect early-year draws)
Trend: External debt more than doubled from $18.87M to $45.15M, indicating new borrowings or drawdowns on existing facilities (e.g., World Bank loans for erosion control and education, some allocated for post-tenure use).
Domestic Debt (in ₦ billions, sourced from BudgIT PDF, DMO via fact-checks, and Nairaland/DMO summaries; inconsistencies noted):
2006-2010: No precise year-by-year figures found in accessible DMO data. Aggregated state domestic debt nationally was rising post-2005 Paris Club relief, but Anambra’s share was low (estimated at <₦5B in 2006 based on trends; exact amount unconfirmed).
2011: ₦6.43 (per DMO via Nairaland) or ₦10.30 (per BudgIT; possible reporting variance)
2012: ₦18.47 (per BudgIT)
2013: ₦3.03 (per DMO fact-check) or ₦7.86 (per BudgIT)
2014: ₦11.05 (per BudgIT; post-handover figure, but reflective of end-2013 obligations)
Trend: Domestic debt fluctuated, peaking around 2012 before declining in 2013 (possibly due to repayments), then rising slightly by 2014. Overall, it remained low compared to other states (e.g., Lagos had ₦200B+ in 2013).
Total Debt (Combined External + Domestic, approximate conversions at historical rates of ~₦150-200/USD):
2006: ~$18.87M external + estimated low domestic (<₦5B) = Total ~₦3-5B equivalent.
2013 (near end of tenure): $30.32M external (~₦4.8B) + ₦3.03B domestic = Total ~₦7.8B.
2014: $45.15M external (~₦7.2B) + ₦11.05B domestic = Total ~₦18.25B.
Other Financial Notes:
Liabilities Beyond Loans: Obi inherited ₦35B in unpaid pensions/gratuities (cleared during tenure). Successor Willie Obiano claimed ₦127B in liabilities (e.g., unfinished contracts), not all loans.
Savings and Investments: Obi reported leaving $156M in foreign savings and ₦36B in cash/investments, verified by DMO as contributing to low net debt.
Borrowing Specifics: Mentions of a $60M World Bank interest-free loan (negotiated but for successor) and ₦1B farmer loans (state-facilitated, not direct state debt).
Data Gaps: Full audits for 2006-2010 are scarce; DMO annual reports focus on national aggregates, not state breakdowns pre-2011.
Verdict on Whether Peter Obi Loaned or Borrowed Money:
Yes, Peter Obi did oversee the collection of loans or borrowings during his tenure as Anambra State governor. While Obi has claimed he “never borrowed from any financial institution” and left no debt, this is misleading based on official DMO records.
The state carried and increased debt obligations under his administration:
Evidence of Borrowing: External debt rose from $18.87M (inherited) in 2006 to $45.15M in 2014, a ~140% increase, implying new loans or drawdowns (e.g., multilateral facilities). Domestic debt, though fluctuating and low, was present and managed, with peaks suggesting borrowings for projects.
Nuances: Much debt may have been inherited or non-commercial (e.g., World Bank grants/loans for infrastructure). Obi emphasized avoiding “unproductive” borrowing, clearing liabilities like pensions, and leaving savings—Anambra was indeed the least indebted state per DMO. However, formal debt existed and grew, contradicting absolute “no debt” claims.
Fact-Check Consensus: Multiple verifications (e.g., Guardian, ICIR) rate his no-debt claim as false or misleading, citing DMO data showing ~₦7.8B total debt in 2013.
In summary, while fiscally prudent overall, the records confirm borrowing occurred.
Author: Ifeanyi Chijioke

The dust has barely settled on the Anambra South Senatorial election, yet its real meaning is only beginning to reveal itself.
On the surface, Chief Emma Nwachukwu of APGA clinched the seat after a fiercely contested race. But beneath the headlines lies a calculated strategy, one that points to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s long-term political agenda.
Viewed through the lens of political chess, Emma Nwachukwu is not merely a senator-elect. He is a placeholder, a pawn carefully positioned to secure Anambra South for Governor Soludo’s eventual use.
For the governor, this was no ordinary election; it was about locking down a seat he intends to occupy once his governorship tenure runs its full course.

Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State
Soludo understands the importance of Anambra South. Beyond being the wealthiest and most politically charged district in the state, it is the gateway to influence at both local and national levels.
To control Anambra South is to command leverage, resources, and elite alignment. Allowing an independent force to hold the seat would have posed long-term risks to his plans.
This explains why it was worth every naira, every mobilization, and every ounce of political capital to ensure APGA’s grip on the senatorial seat.
For Soludo, it wasn’t just about winning an election; it was about securing access to a future platform.
But here’s the deeper layer: Soludo knows APGA, for all its sentimental value in Anambra, cannot propel him to a credible presidential bid.
The plan, therefore, is simple. At the right time, he will transition to the Senate, and in due course, align with the ruling party at the center, most likely the APC. With that move, the Anambra South seat transforms from a local mandate into a national bargaining chip.
From governorship to Senate, and from Senate to the presidential chessboard; this is the arc Soludo is plotting.
Emma Nwachukwu, then, is not the final destination; he is the bridge, the placeholder, the pawn whose role is to keep the square warm until the king is ready to make his move.
The election may be over, but the real game has only just begun.
Arthur Ezechukwu is a strategic communications consultant, political analyst, and media director with experience in campaign messaging, brand positioning, and executive communications. Passionate about governance and public affairs, he brings a sharp lens to political dynamics, unpacking the motives and long-term strategies that shape Nigeria’s power play.
Analysis
EFCC: The Unintended Monster ~ By Basil Odilim

When news broke last week, the operatives of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.
My reaction was not shock but recognition. I had seen this pattern before — the sudden spectacle, the images of armed men, the swift headlines — and I knew the uneasy feelings it could leave behind.
I first walked into the EFCC headquarters years ago not as a suspect but as a citizen who believed in its mission. I came with information and resources that I believed could strengthen the fight against corruption.

The author, Basil Odilim Enwegbara
In those early moments, there was optimism — the sense that this was an institution committed to fairness, thoroughness, and results.
But as time passed, that optimism was tested. Processes slowed. Meetings shifted. What I had imagined would be a model of transparency became, to my eyes, more opaque. I had also worked on a public reporting initiative with the EFCC, designed to make petitions traceable by citizens. Over time, that vision for open tracking did not take root in the way I had hoped.
My view of the EFCC began to change. It was not that the institution was incapable of decisive action — quite the opposite. It could act with speed and force when it chose to. But that force seemed, in my perception, unevenly applied. Some matters blazed into the public eye; others dimmed quietly in the shadows.
That is why, when EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede recently warned that Nigeria’s real estate sector had become a haven for money laundering, I agreed with the diagnosis.
Anyone who drives through certain high-end districts in Lagos or Abuja can see properties that stand empty, owned on paper, but not in life are priced far beyond the reach of most Nigerians The challenge is not seeing the problem — it is pursuing it with the same intensity in every case, no matter whose name appears on the deeds.
Raids like the one on the Obasanjo Library generate headlines. They display power. But Nigerians have long memories. For every dramatic operation, there are questions about the cases that remain invisible — the files not announced, the investigations never heard of again.
If the EFCC is to be the institution Nigerians need, it must not only fight corruption without fear or favour; it must do so in a way the public can see and trust.
Without that trust, the EFCC risks becoming something the law never intended: a force whose power is remembered more for its theatre than for its justice.
Selective Justice and the Shielding of the Powerful
Go to the EFCC headquarters in Industrial Area, Abuja, and you’ll see some hungry boys arrested for stealing a few hundreds of dollars.
That doesn’t mean that what they did was right. What I’m saying here is that EFCC leaves the big thieves and always goes after petty thieves.
Or how many powerful politicians and influential figures have truly faced prison in Nigeria? The answer is painfully clear: very few, if any.
The harsh reality is that accountability disproportionately targets the vulnerable—the so-called “yahoo boys,” the hungry and desperate youth who often become scapegoats for systemic failure.
Meanwhile, the elites who wield power and influence glide through the cracks of the justice system, shielded by networks of patronage, political alliances, and wealth.
Consider Godwin Emefiele, the former Central Bank Governor. Despite serious allegations and public outcry, he has remained protected within the corridors of power.
His case is emblematic of a broader problem—one where the scales of justice tip heavily in favor of the privileged, while ordinary Nigerians bear the brunt of corruption and abuse.
This selective enforcement not only betrays the principle of equality before the law but corrodes public trust in our institutions. When justice becomes a tool wielded only against the powerless, it fosters cynicism, apathy, and social fragmentation.
True reform demands that the judiciary break free from this pattern of selective justice. No one, regardless of political stature or wealth, should be above the law. For Nigeria to rise and thrive, the law must be applied fairly, transparently, and without fear or favor.
My fight is not just personal—it is a fight for every Nigerian who dreams of a nation where justice is not a privilege but a right.
Truly, if eyes can bleed blood, given what I’ve seen in Nigeria, my eyes should have by now be bleeding blood. Thank God eyes only shed tears.
Analysis
The Caricature Called Nigerian Judiciary: I Discovered Forgery After Court Had Already Accepted It
By Basil Odilim

Cry or laugh — take your pick. But this is what the Nigerian judiciary has been reduced to.
For years, I thought I knew everything that was going on in my own court case. I was there. I was cross-examined. I had lawyers. I followed up.
But it turns out, the most damaging thing happened without my knowledge — and only came to light recently, when I personally obtained and reviewed the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court proceedings.
I filed my civil suit in 2017. The defendant didn’t respond for over a year. Then, in January 2019, I was cross-examined. It was a strange session.
Their lawyer pulled out a document and claimed I had received it and signed for it. I looked at it and said, “No. I’ve never seen this document, and I never signed it.”
He withdrew it. Then, casually asked me, “How many signatures do you use?” I told him, “Two.” He gave me a blank sheet of paper and asked me to sign both versions. I didn’t know what he was planning to do with it, but I signed.
Unbeknownst to me, that blank sheet — with nothing on it but two fresh examples of my signature — was immediately tendered as an exhibit. The court admitted it.
Still, no defence had been filed at that time. Then, two weeks later, on February 2, 2019, the defendant finally submitted its defence. I didn’t think much of it — until recently, when I finally obtained the full case file and the CTC of the court proceedings.
That’s when the pieces came together — and the forgery revealed itself.
Attached to the defendant’s belated statement of defence was a photocopy of the very document I had denied under oath. But this time, it had my name on it — or at least something resembling it. “Odilim Enwegbaram”.
Not Enwegbara. It was misspelled. Worse, it had been inserted over a visibly tippexed line — the only part of the document with correction fluid.
Then came the signature. It wasn’t quite mine, but close — close enough to raise questions.
That’s when it hit me: they had lifted my signature from the blank sheet I signed in court. They had fabricated the document after the cross-examination, then quietly attached it to their court filings, and waited.
How did the court allow this?
As I read through the CTC, I discovered what really happened during the tendering of that document — something I wasn’t even fully aware of at the time.
When the defence attempted to present the forged document through their witness (DW1), my lawyer raised a strong objection. He cited Sections 88 and 89 of the Evidence Act: a photocopy is not admissible unless the original is lost or destroyed and that loss must be properly established.
The judge asked the obvious question: “Where is the original?”
DW1 said, “It got lost in my office.”
Then the defence counsel stood up — and directly contradicted him. He told the court: “No, the original isn’t lost. The Claimant has it.”
Think about that. One says it’s lost. The other says it’s with me. But the document is a forged photocopy. The original was never produced — likely because it never existed.
Yet, the judge overruled the objection and admitted the document. She said she would decide later how much “weight” to give it. It was marked as an exhibit.
No one questioned the misspelling, the tippex, or the fact that the document was smuggled in after my signatures had been harvested under cross-examination.
Years passed. Then, on June 30, 2025, DW1 was cross-examined again — this time by my new counsel. Under oath, he admitted clearly: “there was no contract between the Defendant and me”
Finally, I thought. The truth has landed.
But when I received the CTC of the judgment on July 28, 2025, that admission was no longer there.
It had been replaced by this sentence: “There is a contract… by signage of the guide.”
That “guide” was the same forged, tippexed document. The one I never signed. The one bearing a spelling of my name I’ve never used. The one cobbled together using signatures I gave on a plain sheet in court — with no context and no warning.
So now, years later, I’m left with a legal judgment based on a document I never saw, never signed, and only discovered through forensic reading of the CTC.
This isn’t just about my case.
This is about how easily the truth can be rewritten in Nigeria’s courtrooms. How the law — and even sworn testimony — can be bent to accommodate fraud. And how a litigant can sit through an entire trial, not knowing that a false record has already been smuggled into evidence.
The lesson is simple: you must be involved. Deeply. Personally. Painfully.
Your lawyer might mean well, but they’re juggling ten other cases. You’re juggling only one — your own. And if you don’t read every document, get every transcript, and demand every record, you may find that the truth of your case has been changed — and nobody told you.
Cry or laugh, depending on which you prefer. But this is what our judiciary has been reduced to.
Winning the Judgment, Losing the Nation
I never planned to immerse myself in the tangled undergrowth of Nigerian jurisprudence. My life’s compass was set toward the frontiers of human possibility — human immortality, cellular neovsis, and the permanent cure for cancer. Yet, here I am, drawn unwillingly into the crumbling temple of justice, because you cannot live in a burning house and pretend the flames belong to someone else.
Is it too late to think deeply about jurisprudence and the public good? No — because when a society loses its moral and legal direction, all other progress becomes an illusion.
Plato was right: “Justice in the life and conduct of the State is possible only as first it resides in the hearts and souls of the citizens.”
Consider Nnamdi Kanu. Kenya’s High Court has already declared his abduction unlawful, inhumane, and a violation of international norms.
Yet in Nigeria, the same case — already decided in another sovereign court — staggers on as if the foreign judgment were a rumour. This is not merely legal defiance; it is judicial terrorism by the state itself.
The corrosion is systemic. Section 174(1)(c) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution empowers the Attorney-General to “discontinue at any stage before judgment is delivered any such criminal proceedings instituted or undertaken by him or any other authority or person.”
Section 211(1)(c) mirrors this power for states. Both require, in subsection (3), that the power be exercised in the public interest, in the interest of justice, and to prevent abuse of legal process.
In theory, this is a noble safeguard. In practice, it too often becomes a political escape hatch.
In Anambra State, the Attorney-General moved to terminate criminal proceedings, and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association rushed to defend him, invoking the constitutional imperative while ignoring the political convenience. The law was cited, but the “public interest” — the reason the power exists — was conveniently absent.
Marcus Tullius Cicero wrote: “The foundations of justice are that no one shall suffer wrong; then, that the public good be promoted.”
Justinian defined justice as “the constant and perpetual wish to render every man his due.” By these standards, selective justice is not justice at all — it is politics in robes.
The Nigerian Supreme Court, in _State v. Ilori once described the Attorney-General as “a master unto himself… under no control whatsoever” in exercising these powers. Without moral restraint, such unbridled discretion becomes an instrument of state capture, not state service.
History warns us. Rome began as a republic of laws but rotted into an empire of men when those entrusted with justice served power instead of truth. Nigeria is edging toward that same precipice.
It is not too late to resist. But the clock is not generous. A nation that manipulates justice to suit political ends may win its cases — but it will lose its soul.
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