Folarin Kehinde

Renowned constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, has delivered a scathing critique of what is popularly termed “national security” in Nigeria, declaring that it serves more as a tool to protect those in power than the citizens it claims to defend.

Speaking at an event attended by legal professionals, security personnel, and stakeholders in Enugu, Ozekhome referenced a presentation made by the Chief of Defence Staff, represented by the GOC, on national security. He dismissed the long-repeated term—dating back to the colonial era of the 1914 amalgamation—as misleading.

“What they call national security is, in truth, government security,” Ozekhome said. “It is not for you and me. It is for those in power, to protect their control over our commonwealth.”

The senior advocate noted the irony that many attendees had to travel to the event under heavy security, underscoring the lack of real safety for everyday Nigerians.

Ozekhome went further to condemn ongoing abuses by law enforcement agencies, particularly when lawyers are prevented from doing their jobs. Citing a personal experience, he recalled how the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seized ₦75 million of his professional fees during a case, sparking calls from colleagues for him to back down.

“I asked myself, when did we become so afraid that we can’t fight for our own rights, let alone those of others?” he queried. He took the matter to court and won, with the Court of Appeal affirming that lawyers are not obligated to investigate the source of their fees unless there is evidence of complicity in a crime.

Ozekhome acknowledged that lawyers must not knowingly facilitate criminal activity but emphasized that punishing a legal practitioner for doing their job without evidence of wrongdoing threatens the very foundation of justice.

He drew attention to international and regional human rights instruments—including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights—stressing that while Nigerians are familiar with these rights, they are not truly enjoying them due to the absence of good governance and basic necessities.

“Security is not just about guns or checkpoints. What about emotional, mental, educational, economic, and job security?” he asked. “Many of our people walk around wounded by a system that has failed them—but they hide it behind makeup or suits.”

He reminded the audience that human rights are inalienable and not privileges conferred by government.

“You have freedom of movement because God gave you legs. These rights are yours by nature, not by legislation,” he said.

Calling for a revival of purpose within the legal profession, Ozekhome criticized what he sees as a drift from principle to politics. He lamented that many lawyers are more focused on the next election cycle within professional associations than on real governance or social justice.

“We now politic more than the politicians,” he said. “And many no longer practice law—they practice ‘bad.’”

“Let us interrogate society. Let us challenge impunity. Let us not be lawyers only concerned with bread and butter. It is time to stand up—and stand out.”