Justice must not fail Walida Abdulhadi

Former U.S. vice-president Hubert Humphrey captured the moral test of government most aptly when he observed that it lies in how the state treats “those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.” That sentiment echoes an earlier and equally powerful reflection by Indian freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi, who noted that a nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members. It is against this standard that the case of Walida Abdulhadi must be judged, and it is a test the Nigerian state cannot afford to fail.

Walida Abdulhadi, a young girl from Hadejia Local Government Area of Jigawa State, was reportedly abducted more than two years ago. According to her family, she was just 16 when she disappeared from her home while her father was away working on his farm. What followed was a long period of uncertainty, pain and fruitless searching, the kind of ordeal that thousands of Nigerian families of missing persons quietly endure without answers or closure. Abdulhadi Ibrahim, Walida’s father, said the prolonged trauma had taken a devastating toll on his family, revealing that Walida’s mother died two months ago, allegedly due to the pain and stress of her daughter’s disappearance.

The eventual breakthrough came in dramatic and unsettling fashion. An unknown caller reportedly contacted Walida’s father to inform him that his daughter is in Abuja.

What was allegedly uncovered has since shocked the nation. It was uncovered that Walida had been living in Abuja under the control of a serving official of the Department of State Services (DSS), identified as Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi. She reportedly alleged that she was coerced into converting her religion, subjected to continuous sexual abuse without marriage and eventually became pregnant, giving birth to a baby boy. These allegations, if established, point not only to the abuse of a minor but also to a gross abuse of power by a state official entrusted with the responsibility of protecting citizens.

Unsurprisingly, the matter, now before a magistrate’s court in Jigawa State, has generated widespread public outrage. The DSS has announced that it commenced an internal investigation and arrested the suspect. While this response is necessary, it is far from sufficient. Serious concerns have arisen over the continued custody of Walida by the DSS, despite a court order directing her immediate release to her family.

This development goes to the heart of the justice question. Where a crime is alleged, especially one involving abduction and sexual abuse of a minor, the law is clear on institutional roles. Such matters fall squarely within the investigative and prosecutorial framework of the Nigeria Police Force. The continued holding of both the suspect and the alleged victim by the DSS raises uncomfortable questions about due process, conflict of interest and respect for the rule of law.

Court orders are not advisory opinions. They are binding directives that must be obeyed by all, including security agencies. Failure to comply not only deepens the trauma of victims and their families but also undermines public confidence in the justice system. A security agency cannot be seen as shielding itself, however unintentionally, by retaining control of a case involving one of its own officers.

The judiciary, for its part, must rise to the gravity of this case. Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done. The courts must ensure that the rights and welfare of Walida, as an alleged victim and a young woman, are fully protected, while the allegations against the accused are thoroughly and impartially examined. Any delay or ambiguity will only reinforce the cynicism of a public already sceptical about accountability for the powerful.

The DSS also faces a defining moment. The alleged actions of a single officer have already brought the service into disrepute. How the institution handles this case will either help to restore public trust or further damage its credibility. Transparency, cooperation with the police and strict adherence to judicial directives are essential steps if the service is serious about accountability.

It is not surprising that many Nigerians have drawn parallels between this case and the infamous Ese Oruru saga, which involved the abduction of a minor under the guise of a romantic relationship. That case gained sustained public attention, which helped to accelerate justice. Walida’s case deserves the same level of scrutiny and urgency, if not more, given the gravity of the allegations and the involvement of a security operative.

Beyond institutions, there is a wider societal responsibility. Civil society organisations, child rights advocates and stakeholders in the justice sector must continue to speak out. Silence and fatigue are allies of injustice. Walida’s story is not an isolated one; it reflects the vulnerability of many girls whose suffering often goes unnoticed or unresolved.

Ultimately, this case is about more than one individual or one institution. It is about whether Nigeria will uphold the moral test articulated by Humphrey and Gandhi. Justice for Walida Abdulhadi would send a powerful message that the country is willing to protect its weakest members and hold even the powerful to account. Failing that test would be a stain not easily erased.

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