We can talk economics from now until eternity, unpacking GDP numbers, inflation spirals, and forex drama. But one major problem that has kept this nation performing perpetually below its potential is selective justice.
The problem is simple in Nigeria, the weight of the law depends on who you are. Your last name. Your influence. Or that infamous phrase; “Do you know who I am?”
Take the recent cases of Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam 1 or K1 the Ultimate, and Ms. Comfort Emmanson. Two separate incidents, two similar offences, two completely different outcomes.
K1 allegedly obstructed an aircraft from taking off at the Abuja airport. That is no small thing in aviation, that’s serious. It’s not only an offence, it’s a potential safety hazard with heavy penalties under the law. Yet what happened? FAAN didn’t hand him over to the police. No court dates. No prison van waiting outside. No handcuffs. He released an apology video, and that was the end. In fact, some senior government officials proudly circulated the video like it was a national achievement.
Now, let’s look at Ms. Comfort Emmanson. She was on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to Muritala Muhammad airport Lagos. She reportedly assaulted an air hostess; wrong, without question. That’s also a punishable offence. But in less than 24 hours, FAAN had handed her over to the police, she had been charged in court, and she was remanded in Kirikiri Medium Security Prison.
The contrast is painful. One was given the dignity of a private resolution and a public relations clean-up. The other was paraded, humiliated, and thrown into a cell. This is the injustice of Nigeria.
And let’s be honest, both acts were wrong. The lady who assaulted airport staff wa wrong in its entirety. Kwam 1 who obstructed an aircraft from taking off was also wrong. Both carry heavy punishments. If Wasiu Ayinde can be forgiven, the lady should be forgiven too. And if you must punish the lady, then punish Wasiu Ayinde too.
What we have instead is one-sided justice. Kwam 1 did something even worse, if we’re being factual. He stood in front of an aircraft to prevent it from taking off. The only consequence? An apology video, and all was forgiven.
Ms. Emmanson shoved an air hostess, was pulled out of the airplane, her clothes torn, and the entire world saw her fresh breast. That public shame wasn’t enough — she has now been arrested and remanded.
If Kwam 1 can be forgiven, why is Ms Emmanson (Kwam 2) in prison?
Our lack of respect for the rule of law is at the heart of our failure to succeed as a collective. Justice cannot depend on status or connections. The moment it does, it stops being justice; it becomes a tool for oppression.
In a country where “big men” can break laws and go home with a handshake, while “ordinary people” are crushed for lesser offences, we have no moral ground to claim fairness. And without fairness, trust in the system evaporates.
The Nigerian justice system has long been accused of favouring the influential. These two cases only reinforce that perception. The signal it sends is dangerous, if you have influence, you can bend the law; if you don’t, the law will break you.
This is not about defending bad behaviour. Wrong is wrong. Assaulting an air hostess is wrong. Blocking an aircraft from taking off is wrong. But the law must be applied equally, or it loses its meaning.
If we keep going like this, selective justice will destroy Nigeria long before inflation or bad governance do. Because when people believe that justice is no longer blind, they stop believing in the system altogether. And when the people stop believing, the nation loses its soul.
