Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives and son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has condemned what he calls the unequal application of justice in Nigeria.
Speaking during a debate at the House plenary on Thursday, Bello cited the recent conviction of a member of the Ansaru terrorist group, identified as Hussaini Ismail, who was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and compared it with the life sentence handed to the leader of the outlawed IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
He highlighted the inconsistencies in recent court rulings and questioned whether the justice system was truly serving the principles of fairness and accountability.
“There was a conviction recently of a Boko Haram terrorist, I believe his name is Hussaini Isma’il, and he was sentenced to 20 years by a high court. Last week, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was convicted, and his sentence was life imprisonment.
I don’t understand why one terrorist is getting 20 years while another is getting a life sentence. This gives the idea that justice is served differently in Nigeria and it affects the government. he said”
While commending President Bola Tinubu for unveiling a comprehensive national security overhaul, the lawmaker urged the National Assembly to ensure that the executive arm followed through with clear timelines and measurable execution plans:
“The president has rolled out a clear plan that we commend. Many of my colleagues have rightly spoken about this, and I agree. But our problem is not in making plans, it’s in executing them with clear timelines, he added”
His remarks underscore growing concerns over perceived inconsistencies in Nigeria’s justice system. While some militants receive lighter sentences or rehabilitation, others face life imprisonment raising questions about fairness, accountability, and public trust in government policies.
