Selective Prosecution in Nigeria: How Bias Is Undermining Judicial Trust

Nigeria’s democracy depends on fair and consistent application of the law. Yet many now believe that opposition figures face rapid arraignments while ruling party actors enjoy delays or restraint. Investigations of high-profile individuals like Abubakar Malami, Nasir El-Rufai, and Godwin Emefiele suggest accountability. But stalled probes into other officials and sparse explanations breed suspicion and erode confidence. Statutory agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC should operate without fear or favor. However, patterns in election seasons and intra-elite contests make it hard to separate lawful enforcement from political strategy. The courts then become associated with outcomes they did not originate. Rebuilding trust will require transparent, impartial conduct across all cases, regardless of political affiliation. Without clear evidence of evenhanded justice, public faith in Nigeria’s constitutional order risks further decline.

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