Prof. Wole Soyinka has called on President Bola Tinubu to reopen investigations into unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, saying justice must prevail and those responsible for the crimes should be held accountable. The Nobel Laureate made the appeal while speaking at the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture Series organised by the National Association of Seadogs in […]
Prof. Wole Soyinka has called on President Bola Tinubu to reopen investigations into unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, saying justice must prevail and those responsible for the crimes should be held accountable.
The Nobel Laureate made the appeal while speaking at the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture Series organised by the National Association of Seadogs in Port Harcourt, where he expressed concern over the growing culture of impunity and the failure to resolve several high-profile killings across the country.
Soyinka said the continued neglect of unresolved assassination and extrajudicial killing cases undermines public confidence in the justice system and leaves victims’ families without closure. He stressed that justice must not be determined by the identity of the victim or the influence of those allegedly involved.
According to him, every unresolved case deserves a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation, regardless of where it occurred or the status of those connected to it. He maintained that allowing perpetrators of violent crimes to evade justice only encourages further lawlessness and weakens the rule of law.
The literary icon urged President Tinubu to demonstrate a renewed commitment to justice by directing the appropriate authorities to reopen investigations into unresolved cases. He recalled that the President had previously expressed interest in reviewing such matters and said the time had come to translate those assurances into concrete action.
Soyinka specifically referenced the killing of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto and Mene Ogidi in Delta State, describing them as examples of incidents that should not be forgotten. He expressed concern over what he described as unequal treatment of such cases and called for justice to be applied fairly, irrespective of the victims’ background or location.
He further criticised what he termed selective justice, arguing that the judiciary, public institutions and citizens all have a responsibility to resist injustice. He warned that silence in the face of wrongdoing only emboldens offenders and erodes public trust in democratic institutions.
Soyinka also appealed to Nigerians to lend their voices to the demand for accountability, insisting that ending impunity is essential to safeguarding human dignity, strengthening the rule of law and restoring confidence in the country’s justice system.
Delivering the keynote address at the event, former Minister of Aviation Osita Chidoka also called for comprehensive reforms of Nigeria’s justice system. He observed that thousands of inmates remain in correctional centres across the country awaiting trial, describing prolonged detention without due process as a serious injustice.
Chidoka urged the government to strengthen judicial institutions, improve access to justice and ensure equal treatment before the law, stressing that a fair and efficient justice system remains fundamental to national stability and democratic governance.