Justice dies the moment an angry crowd decides that fists are a substitute for the law. No allegation, however disturbing, gives private citizens the authority to investigate, prosecute, convict and punish another human being through violence. When that line is crossed, society ceases to be governed by the rule of law and begins to descend into the rule of rage. A constitutional democracy cannot permit mob action to replace due process without placing every citizen at risk, whether guilty or innocent.
The disturbing rise of mob justice is not merely a public security problem. It is a constitutional crisis that strikes at the heart of the rule of law. Whenever an angry crowd assumes the roles of investigator, prosecutor, judge and executioner, justice ceases to exist. In its place emerges raw vengeance, fuelled by emotion rather than evidence. Regardless of the allegations against any individual, no society can claim to uphold justice if punishment is imposed by violence instead of lawful process. The true measure of a civilised society is not how it treats the innocent alone, but also how it treats those accused of wrongdoing, ensuring that every allegation is tested through due process rather than through public violence.
One Mr Sam was assaulted by a group of youths following an incident at a private residence in Idah, Kogi State, according to video accounts circulating within the local and online communities. Witnesses said the man, who is popularly described as a gay aka “Agege,” had reportedly paid and arranged to meet a young boy at the location before several youths forced their way into the room and physically attacked him. Videos from a reliable source showing the assault have since circulated on social media, generating widespread public reaction and renewed debate over mob justice, vigilantism and the rule of law. The motive behind the meeting and the sequence of events leading to the assault have been described differently by various sources. As of the time of publication, there has been no official statement from the Nigeria Police Force or any other competent authority confirming the allegations or announcing the outcome of any investigation.
That distinction matters. Allegations are not convictions, rumours are not evidence and viral videos are not judicial findings. If criminal conduct is suspected, the responsibility for investigating such claims rests with law enforcement agencies operating within the confines of the law. The courts alone possess the constitutional mandate to determine guilt or innocence after evidence has been tested and the accused has been given an opportunity to defend himself. When a crowd bypasses that process, it not only violates the rights of the accused but also jeopardises the rights of victims by contaminating evidence and frustrating lawful prosecution.
Mob justice carries consequences that extend far beyond a single incident. It encourages lawlessness, normalises violence and creates a dangerous culture in which accusations alone become sufficient grounds for punishment. Today the victim of mob violence may be someone facing serious allegations. Tomorrow it could be an innocent person wrongly identified, falsely accused or maliciously targeted. Once society accepts violence as a legitimate instrument of justice, no one remains truly safe.
If the allegations against Mr Sam are supported by credible evidence, the law already provides a clear pathway. He should be arrested, investigated, charged where appropriate and prosecuted before a court of competent jurisdiction. If the allegations cannot be substantiated, he is entitled to the full protection of the law and the preservation of his dignity. That is not a loophole. It is the foundation of justice itself. The law exists to protect the innocent, punish the guilty and ensure that neither outcome is determined by the anger of a crowd.
The incident in Idah should therefore serve as a sober reminder that justice and vengeance are not the same. Communities have every right to reject crime and demand accountability, but they must do so through lawful institutions rather than through collective violence. Respect for the rule of law is tested not when we defend those we like, but when we insist that even those accused of reprehensible conduct receive the fair and lawful process guaranteed by the Constitution. A nation that abandons due process in moments of outrage ultimately abandons justice itself.
– Inah Boniface Ocholi writes from Ayah – Igalamela/Odolu LGA, Kogi state.
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