‎‎Prosecution of Kidnapper Evans: a litmus test for the Nigeria Police and the judiciary, by Ichie Elvis Ezeani

As written by Ichie Elvis Ezeani

Two days ago, it was brought to my attention that Evans, Nigeria's most prominent kidnapper had initiated series of law suits against the federal government and the Nigeria Police Force - He sought relief worth hundreds of millions of Naira including enforcing His fundamental human right to fair hearing before a court of competent jurisdiction and discontinuation of further media trial.

Funny as these may seem on the scale of morality, Evans has simply invoked the consequences of the laws of Nigeria in a permissible manner. I also understand His father has deposed an affidavit on oath challenging the further detention of His son by the Nigeria Police while refusing to either release Him on bail or conclude investigation ‎and charge Him to court.

Everyone agrees Nigeria is a country where prosecuting very violent crimes are very hard ‎if not out rightly impossible.

It is therefore some kind of standard practice that when perpetrators of certain crimes are reined in, summary execution without trial is next resort. Instances where this has happened includes Obioma Nwankwo - Osisikankwu, Ofe Akwu, Mohammed Yusuf, Derico, Ibrahim Maitatsine and Prophet Edward Okeke.

To start with, one would wonder why Evans wasn't killed immediately by the police since sufficient proof exists which clearly suggests that indeed he committed the crimes for which he is currently being paraded? I argued along this line just yesterday. ‎

Could this be yet another media stunt of the Nigeria Police or is the police unaware that ordinarily, where a serious crime happens in Nigeria, witnesses will usually want to avoid trouble by not offering information to government for fear of the unknown? ‎

Is the Nigeria Police unaware that high profile suspects of violent crimes don't act alone but with plenty backup and logistics support from rulers of the night who usually exist to provide classified information and frustrate criminal proceedings on the event of likely arrest?

Is the Nigeria Police unaware that very soon, tribal coloration will dot the trial of Evans - the "my thief; your thief" and "our son" narrative - attempting to strike a comparison between Him and several Boko Haram suspects including Kabir Sokoto (standing trial for mass murder) who appear in court wearing ‎new designer shirts each time hearing holds?

In my opinion, the die has been cast and I foresee a‎ long walk to justice either for Evans or His victims. Unfortunately, the road to the final destination is fraught with series of unknown maneuvers mainly because several members of Evans' kidnap ring are currently unknown and are still at large.

I personally don't agree with suggestions that He acted alone and without connivance with bad officers of the Nigeria Police and Armed Forces. Mind you some of these accomplices are not even known to Evans himself as the power of information and knowledge sharing even from "anonymous" sources cannot be underestimated in the world of organized crimes.

For a Nigeria system which handles valuable witnesses as suspects and ordinary hungry informants who even stand the risk of suddenly becoming the accused, who would dare volunteer to have witnessed a crime scene where Evans was Chief Commander?‎

For me, I really do not see a sign of foolishness in Evans' latest action especially as victims of His past crimes may are not assured of protection by government from His allies who still roam the streets unchallenged and who may even be planning more heinous crimes as means of raising funds to defray legal expenses.‎ These class of people would surely be mindful of the information they provide.
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In all of these, while the fastest route to justice isn't the Nigerian Judiciary, the route is also not Department of Public Prosecution neither is it the administration of criminal justice.

‎How the game will end is unclear but mocking Evans and questioning His audacity is at least, ‎a show of sheer ignorance because for the Nigeria Police and the Judiciary, this is a rare litmus test.