Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fulfil his pledge to revisit unresolved assassination cases and incidents of extrajudicial killings across Nigeria.
Speaking at the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture Series organised by the National Association of Seadogs (Pirates Confraternity) in Port Harcourt on Friday, Soyinka urged the Federal Government to reopen investigations into unsolved killings and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” was chaired by former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Chief Timi Alaibe.
Soyinka specifically condemned the killing of Deborah Samuel, insisting the government must not ignore the case. He also demanded justice for Mene Ogidi, the 28-year-old allegedly shot dead by a police officer in Delta State, stressing that every perpetrator of unlawful killings must face the law.
The literary icon questioned the status of the unresolved assassination files President Tinubu had earlier promised to review, urging Nigerians to hold the government accountable until justice is served.
He criticised what he described as selective justice, arguing that while the police officer accused of killing Mene Ogidi was swiftly arrested, those linked to Deborah Samuel’s murder have yet to face meaningful justice despite publicly admitting their involvement.
According to Soyinka, the continued silence over such incidents undermines the value of human life and weakens public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and demand accountability from government institutions and the judiciary.
Delivering the keynote address, former Minister of Aviation Osita Chidoka said justice begins with fair policing and equal treatment of all citizens before they even enter a courtroom.
Chidoka lamented the state of Nigeria’s correctional system, revealing that about 64 per cent of inmates in custodial centres—more than 50,000 people—are awaiting trial. He described prolonged detention without conviction as a form of state-inflicted injustice that disrupts families and livelihoods.
He stressed that justice should be based on evidence rather than identity, adding that the legal system must protect all citizens equally, including political opponents, minorities and unpopular individuals, if public trust in governance is to be restored.
Earlier, Chief Timi Alaibe said accountability remains the foundation of sustainable development, warning that weak institutions breed hopelessness, while transparent governance creates lasting progress even with limited resources.
