The Director of Media and Communications at the Take It Back movement, Dr. Chidi Nwanyanwu, has made a stark assessment of Nigeria’s current state.

He asserts that Nigerians have effectively become “slaves in their own country,” citing the compromised judiciary as a primary factor.

Nwanyanwu expressed these sentiments during a virtual conference on Tuesday focused on securing Dele Farotimi’s freedom. His statements underscore the growing disillusionment among Nigerians regarding their country’s institutions.

“The judiciary which should be the hope of the common man has been bought over and no longer serves that purpose,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria remains the home of every Nigerian regardless of their location and as such the country must not be hijacked from the people.

“I live in Canada but I feel like a stranger here, which is why we must not allow Nigeria to be taken away from us; it’s our home. We elected leaders to serve us but now we appear like the one serving the people we elected,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to see the case of Farotimi as a reflection of the potential fate that could befall anyone.

“If we allow this to slide, they will come for more persons. It is Farotimi today, who knows who it will be tomorrow. Already, the Nigerian government has instilled fear in the minds of many Nigerians, so we can see what they are facing,” he noted.

At the event, participants which included rights activist Omoyele Sowore and Temitope Temokun, one of the lawyers representing Dele Farotimi, vowed to continue to seek justice for the incarcerated Farotimi.

Dele Farotimi’s detention stems from his book, which sheds light on endemic corruption within Nigeria’s judicial system. Specifically, Farotimi levied serious allegations against renowned lawyer Afe Babalola, accusing him of exploiting his influential law chambers to undermine the judiciary’s integrity.

Farotimi’s incarceration has sparked outrage and contention, highlighting systemic flaws and abuses of power within Nigeria’s legal framework.