HUNYE Vs YAYI: PUBLIC DESERVES ANSWERS, NOT SILENCE!

When the progress of justice becomes difficult to understand, public confidence begins to suffer.

There is a fundamental question Nigerians must never be afraid to ask: Does every citizen enjoy the same standard of justice, regardless of political influence, connections or affiliation?

The matter involving Hunye and Yayi in Ogun State deserves public attention, not because of the political identities of the individuals involved, but because every citizen has a legitimate interest in the credibility and transparency of our judicial institutions.

Let us be clear: we must not mistake suspicion for evidence, nor should we rush to accuse the judiciary of political interference without establishing the facts.

But equally, we must not pretend that questions about unexplained delays and inadequate public information are unimportant.

THE PUBLIC DESERVES TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING.

There are legitimate questions that require clear answers:

1. On what date was the case officially filed?

2. Which court is handling the matter?

3. What hearing dates have been scheduled?

4. Have proceedings commenced?

5. Have there been adjournments, and what were the recorded reasons?

6. Are there pending applications, preliminary objections or other procedural matters?

7. What is the present status of the case?

These are not acts of disrespect towards the judiciary. They are reasonable questions arising from the public's interest in the administration of justice.

LET US ASK THE HARD QUESTION.

If another politically sensitive case can attract immediate public attention, why should citizens struggle to obtain basic procedural information about this particular matter?

We must acknowledge that cases differ in complexity, procedure and circumstances. Speed alone does not determine fairness. Nevertheless, transparency should never be sacrificed.

Nobody is asking the court to favour Hunye. Nobody is demanding that Yayi be disadvantaged. Nobody is asking judges to bend the law for political interests.

WE ARE ASKING FOR ONE STANDARD OF JUSTICE, ONE COMMITMENT TO DUE PROCESS AND EQUAL RESPECT FOR EVERY LITIGANT.

If the case has been adjourned, let the court records show why. If applications are pending, let the procedural position be clear. If proceedings are ongoing, let the public have access to accurate information through the appropriate channels.

What we cannot afford is a situation where rumours replace records, political arguments replace facts, and uncertainty gradually destroys public confidence.

THE JUDICIARY MUST BE ABOVE POLITICAL INFLUENCE.

A person's political connection should not determine how seriously their case is treated. Their wealth should not determine their access to justice. Their party affiliation should not determine whether their grievances receive a fair hearing.

The ordinary citizen without a godfather deserves the same protection as the most influential politician in the country.

That is the meaning of equality before the law.

The judiciary must understand that public confidence is not sustained by authority alone. It is sustained by fairness, transparency, consistency and decisions that can withstand scrutiny.

A COURTROOM MUST NEVER BECOME A PLACE WHERE POLITICAL INFLUENCE IS FEARED MORE THAN THE CONSTITUTION IS RESPECTED.

OUR MESSAGE IS SIMPLE:

Let the court records speak.

Let hearing dates and procedural developments be clear.

Let every litigant receive a fair hearing.

Let no political connection confer an advantage, and let no lack of political influence become a disadvantage.

Let the law determine the outcome, not public pressure, political power or personal relationships.

POLITICIANS WILL COME AND GO. GOVERNMENTS WILL CHANGE. POLITICAL ALLIANCES WILL COLLAPSE. BUT THE INTEGRITY OF THE JUDICIARY MUST SURVIVE EVERY POLITICAL SEASON.

We must defend an institution where the powerful and the powerless can approach the law with equal confidence.

THE LAW MUST BE BIGGER THAN THE POLITICIANS. JUSTICE MUST BE STRONGER THAN EVERY POLITICAL CAUCUS. AND NO NIGERIAN MUST FEEL TOO SMALL TO RECEIVE JUSTICE.

WE DO NOT DEMAND JUSTICE FOR ONE POLITICAL CAMP. WE DEMAND A JUDICIARY THAT SERVES EVERY NIGERIAN.

Because when confidence in justice disappears, the people begin to question not just individual judgments, but the very foundation of democracy.