By Okechukwu Nwanguma
When Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi announced a probe into the UK property scandal involving senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome, SAN, he struck a chord with many Nigerians who yearn for accountability in high places.
His words – that the case “bears sadly” on the integrity of the legal profession – were apt.
But Nigerians are not fooled. Integrity cannot be applied selectively. If the AGF is serious about cleansing the system, his probe must not stop at Ozekhome. He must also confront the far more egregious allegations against Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike of the Court of Appeal.
Just days ago, activist Omoyele Sowore petitioned the Florida Attorney General, accusing Wike and his wife of secretly purchasing over $6 million worth of luxury properties in Florida – paid for in suspicious cash transactions, then transferred into the names of their children. These deals bypassed banking oversight, raised serious money laundering concerns, and were allegedly not declared to Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau.
Let’s be clear: if proven true, this is not just about unexplained wealth. It is about a sitting minister, a former governor, and a serving senior judicial officer engaging in transactions that reek of corruption and impunity. This is not merely embarrassing; it is a direct assault on the rule of law.
Mr Fagbemi cannot pretend not to see this. To go after Ozekhome while turning a blind eye to Wike would confirm what Nigerians already suspect – that the so-called fight against corruption is selective, weaponised against some while shielding others close to the corridors of power.
President Bola Tinubu’s government already suffers a trust deficit. Allowing Wike, one of his most powerful allies, to skate free of scrutiny while grandstanding about the “integrity” of the legal profession only deepens public cynicism. Nigerians are tired of a system where the law has teeth for critics and opposition figures but is toothless against those in power.
If the AGF is serious about restoring faith in our justice system, he must demand explanations from Wike and his wife, refer the allegations to both the Code of Conduct Bureau and the National Judicial Council, and push for an independent investigation. Anything less will expose his crusade as hollow.
As long as selective justice prevails, impunity will reign. The AGF must prove that in Nigeria, no one – lawyer, minister, or judge – is above the law.
But Nigerians cannot fold their arms and wait. Civil society, the media, and ordinary citizens must hold the AGF and this government to account. Silence only emboldens corruption. The time to speak out is now because selective justice is no justice at all.
[10/2, 3:17 PM] Okechukwu Nwanguma: Press Statement
September 4, 2025
*RULAAC Calls on IGP to Resolve Confusion, Ensure Justice, and Provide Clarity for Family of Late Inspector Shedrack Amechi*
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) expresses deep concern over the confusion and uncertainty surrounding the tragic death of Inspector Shedrack Amechi, who was killed on Wednesday, 27th August 2025, while carrying out his lawful duty at Amaeze, Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
From the outset, reports indicated that Inspector Amechi was fatally shot by a bullet fired from a rifle belonging to an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). However, more recent accounts suggest that he may have been killed by a bullet discharged from a fellow police officer’s firearm during the scuffle between personnel of the two agencies.
This disturbing contradiction has left the Amechi family traumatised, confused, and uncertain about who bears responsibility for the death of their son and breadwinner. The family deserves clarity, closure, and justice. A diligent, credible, and transparent investigation should by now have resolved these conflicting accounts. Instead, the needless controversy persists, prolonging the family’s pain and raising serious questions about institutional accountability.
RULAAC therefore calls on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), under whose table the matter is presently before, as confirmed by the Ebonyi State Police Command, to take firm, clear, and unequivocal action by:
1. Ordering a prompt and conclusive investigation to establish the actual circumstances of Inspector Amechi’s death and resolve the contradictions.
2. Communicating clearly to the family the outcome of the investigation and the role the Nigeria Police Force will play in assuming burial obligations and providing the entitlements due to the family of a fallen officer.
3. Ensuring accountability by bringing all those responsible to justice, whether NSCDC operatives or police personnel, to restore confidence and prevent further inter-agency hostility.
4. Guaranteeing that the family of Inspector Amechi receives adequate redress, benefits, and recognition, in line with institutional commitments to officers who lose their lives in the line of duty.
The Amechi family is currently left in limbo, unable to proceed with burial arrangements for their son due to uncertainty about the position of the Police Force. The IGP must break this silence, take a firm stand, and provide the grieving family with the assurance and support they need to lay their son to rest with dignity.
RULAAC will continue to monitor developments closely and insists that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done in this case.
Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director
Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC)
