Media trials by security agencies in Nigeria have long been a source of concern, with legal experts, members of the Bench, and human rights advocates consistently condemning the practice as a despicable and flagrant violation of citizens’ rights.
In Nigeria, media trials by security agencies take many forms. These include the premature parade of suspects before journalists’ cameras, the declaration of individuals as wanted without a proper and valid court order, and the dissemination of misleading or inaccurate information to the public about suspects or high-profile cases.
Such actions can damage reputations and undermine the fair treatment of individuals who are yet to be convicted by any court of competent jurisdiction.
In many cases, security agencies deploy pre-trial publicity tactics, such as public parades and sensational press releases, to create the impression that they are actively fighting crime, even when the available evidence may not yet be robust or admissible in court.
This approach often creates a public perception of guilt, thereby prejudicing the minds of the public and, in some instances, influencing the atmosphere surrounding judicial proceedings.
Legal experts have repeatedly warned that media trials can create a hostile environment for suspects or defendants, potentially affecting judicial impartiality and undermining the fairness of the justice system.
Human rights activists have also argued that when media-hyped cases eventually collapse in court, the consequence is a deepening public distrust in security agencies and the judiciary.
Lawyers have consistently opposed the practice, insisting that it undermines the rule of law and contradicts the constitutional presumption of innocence guaranteed under Nigerian law.
It is against this backdrop that many legal observers insist security agencies must focus on evidence gathering rather than public relations exercises if justice is to be served.
While the Nigerian Police Force appears to have reduced the practice in recent years following sustained criticism, concerns remain over alleged similar conduct by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Of particular concern is the NDLEA’s alleged continued publication of suspects’ photographs, personal details, and investigative claims before such individuals are taken to court, or even while they are still standing trial, in a manner that suggests they have already been found guilty.
One recent example is the declaration of Mr Uzoma Valentine Ilumuanya, a defendant who has reportedly been standing trial in a drug-related case since 2021, as a wanted fugitive who was arrested after a 15-year manhunt.
According to a recent press statement issued by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the agency announced the arrest of a 58-year-old man, Uzoma Valentine Ilumuanya, whom it claimed had been on the wanted list of the agency and British authorities for over 15 years.
In the statement, the agency said Ilumuanya was apprehended at a location in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, following what it described as a high-stakes, well-coordinated operation by officers of its Special Operations Unit.
The NDLEA further described the arrest as bringing to an end a long-standing cat-and-mouse game with the law enforcement authorities.
The statement also claimed that Ilumuanya had previously been arrested in the United Kingdom in July 2011 for drug-related offences, was granted administrative bail, but allegedly jumped bail and fled to Nigeria.
Babafemi further stated:
“Typical of a recidivist, Ilomuanya was arrested in November 2018 in Nigeria by NDLEA operatives.
He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court, Lagos, after which he jumped court bail and has been on the run since then.”
Reacting to the operation, NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), reportedly described the development as a significant breakthrough in the agency’s relentless war against drug cartels.
He commended the officers of the Special Operations Unit for what he described as their professionalism, resilience, and diligence in tracking down the suspect, while reaffirming the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks in Nigeria.
However, what is most troubling in this narrative is the suggestion that the information released to the public may be, at best, a half-truth and, at worst, a misleading account of the facts.
First, the NDLEA has reportedly been prosecuting Ilumuanya since 2021 before the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on drug-related charges.
The case has allegedly passed through two judges — Justice A.O. Awogboro and, subsequently, Justice Musa Kakaki, who is currently handling the matter.
It is equally surprising that the agency’s press release reportedly failed to disclose that its operatives and prosecutors have already participated in the trial and led evidence in court.
A review of the court proceedings before both Justice Awogboro and Justice Kakaki reportedly shows that Ilumuanya had appeared in court no fewer than 18 times whenever the matter came up, with NDLEA counsel actively prosecuting the case.
Even more troubling is the agency’s claim that it arrested Ilumuanya at an undisclosed location in Lagos after a painstaking 15-year manhunt.
The contrary account is that he was allegedly arrested in a commando-style operation within the court premises shortly after proceedings on February 23, 2026, and then taken away by operatives.
This raises a fundamental question: if NDLEA officials have been prosecuting Ilumuanya since 2021, and he has appeared in court on more than 18 occasions, where exactly was the manhunt? More importantly, how does a defendant who has repeatedly appeared in court suddenly become a fugitive?
The danger of such half-truths in the media is that they amount to a direct assault on the constitutional presumption of innocence guaranteed under Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Trial by media also creates what may be described as a Public Court verdict, one that is deeply inimical to the rights of suspects and defendants, and often difficult to reverse, even when a court of law eventually finds the person innocent.
In a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law, security agencies must resist the temptation to secure convictions in the court of public opinion before the judiciary has spoken.
Justice is not served by sensational headlines, dramatic press statements, or public humiliation. It is served by credible investigation, admissible evidence, and a fair trial.
Until security agencies, including the NDLEA, fully embrace this principle, the danger remains that more Nigerians will continue to be convicted in the “Public Court” long before they ever get their day in court.
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Editor’s Note: This article is an opinion-based legal commentary drawing from publicly available statements and court-related claims. Allegations remain subject to judicial determination.
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