Nigerians were left in shock and disbelief as Abba Kyari, former Nigerian Deputy commissioner of Police was released after serving just a fraction of his sentence for drug trafficking. What was even more troubling was the hero’s welcome he received in his hometown of Maiduguri, as if he had just won a war against corruption rather than been implicated in it.
Kyari’s case represents a gross miscarriage of justice in a country that has already been struggling to combat corruption. The public perception of him as a hero in the fight against graft is a chilling reminder of the skewed values that permeate the Nigerian political landscape.
Kyari’s release, despite clear evidence of his involvement in the international drug trade, sends a dangerous message to the rest of the country: that if you have connections and money, you can evade justice.
The triumphant homecoming celebrations for Kyari also call into question the efficacy of the anti-corruption campaign spearheaded by President Buhari, whose administration has long been plagued by allegations of favoritism and selective justice.
Kyari’s release is particularly galling given the hundreds of other Nigerian citizens languishing in prison for far lesser offenses, many of them victims of police brutality or other forms of injustice. The double standard on display is yet another example of the deep-rooted inequality that characterizes the Nigerian justice system.
While many Nigerians were left feeling frustrated and disillusioned by the outcome of Kyari’s case, one man’s efforts to hold him accountable should be applauded: Chief Dr. Patrick Osagie Eholor.
Eholor, an outspoken human rights activist and President of the One Love Foundation, was one of the few individuals who refused to be silenced in the face of Kyari’s power and influence.
In 2021, ABUJA HIGH COURT GRANTS LEAVE TO PATRICK EHOLOR TO FILE SUIT COMPELLING IGP AND AGF TO EXTRADITE ABBA KYARI
Eholor’s dogged pursuit of justice against Kyari is emblematic of the kind of civic activism that Nigeria needs more of.
In a country where political patronage and cronyism are rampant, Eholor’s refusal to back down in the face of powerful adversaries sets an important example for other Nigerians to follow.
His efforts also highlight the importance of independent voices and institutions in holding government officials accountable, even when the odds are stacked against them.
The release of Abba Kyari is a clear violation of both Nigerian and international law, specifically Article 12 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, to which Nigeria is a signatory.
This article states that: *“Each State Party shall ensure that any person who abuses a position of influence in order to obtain an undue advantage for himself or for anyone else shall be punishable by appropriate penalties that take into account the gravity of the offense.”*
By allowing Kyari to escape punishment for his alleged crimes, the Nigerian government has failed to uphold its obligation under this convention to hold public officials accountable for corruption.
The Nigerian judiciary’s role in the Kyari case has also been called into question, as many observers believe that his trial and sentencing were tainted by political interference and bias.
The double standard in the handling of Kyari’s case compared to other high-profile corruption cases has damaged the credibility of the Nigerian legal system and raised concerns about the independence of the judiciary.
The Kyari case is just one example of a broader trend in Nigeria, where powerful individuals often escape justice while ordinary citizens suffer the consequences of their malfeasance.
By allowing corruption to go unchecked, the government undermines its own legitimacy and erodes public trust in institutions like the judiciary.
The Kyari case should serve as a wake-up call to all Nigerians: unless we hold our leaders to the same standards of accountability and transparency that we demand of ourselves, we will never be able to build a just and prosperous nation.
The saga of Abba Kyari’s release highlights the deep-seated problems of corruption, double standards, and political patronage in Nigeria. It also shows the urgent need for brave and principled citizens like Chief Dr. Patrick Osagie Eholor to continue the fight for justice and accountability in our society.
In the end, the fate of Kyari is not just about one man’s crimes, but about the very future of Nigeria.
I am Chief Dr Patrick Osagie Eholor otherwise known as Ultimate Equal, President One Love Foundation