Good morning,
The crackle of burning rubber, the roar of an agitated crowd, and the final, desperate pleas of an accused suspect have become an all-too-familiar spectacle across Nigeria‘s urban centres and rural hamlets. This week, the conversation has turned to why. Jungle justice, that brutal, extrajudicial phenomenon where mobs torture, beat or burn individuals suspected of crimes, is not just a crime. It is a symptom of a profound breakdown of trust in the police, courts and the state itself. Legal experts argue the primary issue is not a total absence of legislation. The Criminal Code, Penal Code and Administration of Criminal Justice Act already outlaw mob violence. The problem, they say, is a catastrophic failure of enforcement. Citizens often see the official justice apparatus as slow, compromised, or accessible only to the highest bidder. They believe suspects handed over to the authorities will simply buy their freedom. Until that changes, the mob will continue to act as judge, jury and executioner.
While the state struggles to enforce the law, the law itself is being mocked from within. Nwabueze Buchi George, coordinator of the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, has released a purported appointment letter from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. This comes days after President Bola Tinubu ordered his arrest following an ICPC investigation into an alleged fake government agency operating within the SGF’s premises. George’s letter, dated October 3, 2025, and bearing the SGF letterhead, states that he was appointed national coordinator and executive director of the Made in Nigeria Project Office for a five-year renewable tenure. Releasing the letter is a defiant move, essentially arguing that his appointment was legitimate. The letter, if genuine, would undermine the government‘s case against him. The ICPC has already uncovered a fake agency, and the involvement of senior public servants suggests that the fraud may be more widespread than initially thought. The public will be watching to see whether the investigation leads to prosecutions or just more suspensions.
And while the elite fight over fraudulent appointments, ordinary Nigerians are being terrorised. Suspected bandits have kidnapped the first wife of the Baale of Dabu, a community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. In another incident, kidnappers are demanding ₦20 million ransom for the release of another woman abducted from a nearby community. The Kwara South Development Forum has urged the federal and state governments to urgently secure the victims' release. “We are not ready to pay a dime. The government needs to bring her back to us,” the group said. The Forum also raised concerns over the continued captivity of Fasilat Babatunde, a 23-year-old woman abducted on 15 July. Her father was reportedly shot during the attack. The abductors have even gained access to her TikTok account and were using it to publish posts and make calls while communicating with her family. The abduction of a monarch’s wife is a significant escalation of insecurity in Kwara South. The residents are tired of paying ransom. They want the government to act.
The drug trade, too, is showing its ridiculous reach. The NDLEA arrested a 101-year-old great-grandmother for allegedly dealing in cannabis and intercepted consignments of illicit drugs worth more than ₦4.4 billion across Nigeria. The agency arrested 101-year-old Esther Ogunmabo in Ilisan, Ogun State, on August 15, with 90 grams of skunk packaged in retail sachets. The centenarian reportedly told operatives that she sold the cannabis to locals after her provisions shop was destroyed by fire. One of her daughters, who lives in Lagos, allegedly supplied the drug to her every four days. Because of her advanced age, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa directed that Ogunmabo be granted bail and placed on counselling, while her daughter was arrested. The arrest of a 101-year-old grandmother is a startling reminder of the reach of the drug trade.
And in Lagos, the refuse crisis continues. Residents and shop owners in Orile, Iganmu, have appealed for urgent intervention over persistent refuse accumulation. A visit to Iludun, Orile, revealed scattered refuse, dirty water, accumulated waste and an unpleasant odour. Rukkuyat Issac, a resident, said the poor condition of the road made it difficult for LAWMA to access the area. “I hope something can be done because it’s really affecting my baby’s health. I have to get treatment for my baby all the time because of the mosquitoes,” she said. Another resident, Ekene Obi, said the problem had persisted for years. LAWMA said heavy rainfall had affected access in parts of Lagos, slowing truck movement and delaying waste evacuation. The residents are still waiting. The stench and flies are a daily reminder of failed governance.
Tomorrow is a public holiday, so this newsletter will not be sent. Enjoy today, and have a restful holiday tomorrow.
Warmly,
Lolade