Justice Half-Done: The Unsettling Case of Prof. Peter Ogban and Senator Godswill Akpabio

A recent court ruling has brought to the fore the glaring inconsistencies in Nigeria’s justice system. Prof. Peter Ogban, implicated in manipulating the electoral process that led to Senator Godswill Akpabio’s emergence as Senate President, has been sentenced to prison. The Appeal Court upheld this decision, affirming the court’s findings of guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

However, a troubling paradox emerges: while Prof. Ogban faces the consequences of his actions, Senator Akpabio, the beneficiary of the alleged electoral manipulation, remains in office, unscathed and unperturbed. This raises fundamental questions about the efficacy and fairness of the justice system. Can justice be said to have been served when only the lower-level operative is punished, while the high-ranking beneficiary goes unpunished? Doesn’t this perpetuate a culture of impunity, undermining the rule of law and the public’s trust in institutions?

The disparity in treatment between Prof. Ogban and Senator Akpabio highlights a pressing need for reform and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral and judicial processes. Until those in positions of power are held to the same standards as others, the justice system will continue to be perceived as selective and biased.