The Nigerian judicial system today stands at a crucial crossroads, weighed down by public disillusionment, procedural delays, and a growing crisis of trust that leads many citizens to seek faster alternatives. As the French philosopher Joseph de Maistre famously observed, “Every nation gets the government it deserves,” a sentiment that extends to legal institutions when they no longer serve the immediate needs of the populace. When citizens consistently bypass formal law enforcement and statutory courts in favour of social media whistleblowers, it signals a systemic breakdown rather than a mere preference for spectacle. This shift was starkly illustrated by the fierce national debate surrounding the Nigerian Bar Association’s invitation to social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) to participate as a panellist on insecurity at their recent conference in Port Harcourt, a move that sparked intense arguments for and against the legitimacy of popular activism in legal discourse. While critics may dislike his appearance, his abrasive communication style, or his unconventional methods, the reality is that an increasing number of ordinary people prefer taking their grievances to him rather than placing their trust in the police or court proceedings. As legal philosopher Lon L. Fuller noted, “Law is the enterprise of subjecting human conduct to the governance of rules,” yet when those rules feel inaccessible or compromised, public trust inevitably seeks alternative channels. Let’s reflect on the profound implications of this evolving search for justice in contemporary Nigeria.
Do you know that the growing preference for social media whistleblowers over the police, courts and other conventional law enforcement channels risks pushing our dispute resolution mechanism back towards informal, extrajudicial territory? Before the advent of the modern legal system, traditional societies relied on indigenous methods such as oath-taking, folklore, age grades, and masquerades to maintain order and curb social vices. Colonial authorities and modern legal frameworks subsequently labeled those traditional practices as archaic and uncivilised, replacing them with institutional police forces, codified statutes, and formal courtrooms designed to guarantee due process. Yet, the current reality — where citizens feel more comfortable seeking redress from online activists than submitting to protracted, expensive, and often unpredictable court processes — raises serious questions about whether the nation is sliding back into a modern equivalent of trial by public sentiment. This reliance on social media interventions reflects a damning verdict on the perceived efficiency and fairness of formal institutions, signaling that ordinary citizens view statutory channels as distant, cumbersome, or unresponsive. When trial by viral publicity replaces formal evidence and cross-examination, justice becomes subject to popular passion rather than established law, leaving the rights of individuals vulnerable to arbitrary mob judgment and unverified public outrage.
So, it is time we enhanced our capacity to champion systemic institutional reform by demanding accountability, fairness, and speed within our established legal, security, and administrative frameworks. The state authorities, legal practitioners, the police, and judicial officers must recognise this trend as an urgent wake-up call to restore public confidence before informal self-help completely undermines the rule of law. Rebuilding trust requires comprehensive judicial reforms, such as accelerating trial schedules, eliminating corrupt bottlenecks, modernising evidence handling, and ensuring that police investigations are thorough, transparent, and respectful of fundamental human rights. Legal practitioners and judicial bodies must actively work to make formal legal processes affordable and accessible to the average citizen, proving that constitutional law remains the most reliable protector of individual liberties. Society must guard against the temptation to rely permanently on online arbitration, as public outrage cannot replace institutional order, statutory protections, and due process without inviting chaos. By actively supporting policy reforms, insisting on ethical policing, and advocating for swift judicial administration, stakeholders can prevent the country from degenerating into a state where personal influence, social media reach, or vigilantism dictates right and wrong.
As you step out each day, remember that a strong, fair, and accessible legal system remains the essential foundation for true democracy, peace, and national stability. When every citizen, legal professional, and leader works intentionally to strengthen institutional integrity, we safeguard our society against the chaos of mob rule and self-help. Let us therefore commit to building a nation where justice is neither a delayed privilege nor a viral spectacle, but a dependable right guaranteed to all.
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Esang Esitikot, a chemical engineer, is a professor of occupational health and safety. He is a public affairs analyst, UN Ambassador for Peace, and a pro bono lecturer at the Institute of Health, Safety, Security and Environment, University of Uyo. He can be contacted via 08035103559 (Whatsapp only) or email (esitikot@gmail.com).
