In the annals of Nigeria’s judicial system, the case of 17-year-old Joshua Èjuojo Daniel-Ejigbo remains unresolved, emblematic of systemic failures raising profound questions about accountability, influence, and the rule of law in Africa’s most populous nation.
On April 30, 2024, Joshua Èjuojo Daniel-Ejigbo, a first-year Computer Science student at Veritas University in Abuja, tragically passed away under disputed circumstances. While the university attributes his death to a gym accident involving a falling barbell, an independent autopsy conducted at the National Hospital Abuja concluded otherwise. It revealed severe injuries inconsistent with accidental trauma, suggesting deliberate violence.
Legal proceedings initiated by the Ejigbo family have encountered significant delays in both the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2869/2024) and the Federal High Court (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1898/2024). These delays, characterized by prolonged adjournments, have prolonged the family’s quest for justice.
In May 2024, the family petitioned the House of Representatives, highlighting discrepancies in the university’s account, allegations of negligence in the police investigation, and claims of institutional intimidation. However, no substantive response from the House Committee has been forthcoming.
Furthermore, revelations that Veritas University operated without proper authorization at the time of Joshua’s death underscore regulatory oversights by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Federal Ministry of Education, both defendants in the ongoing legal battle.
Despite initial arrests, the criminal investigation has faltered, with no suspects formally identified or significant progress made in the year since Joshua’s death. Allegations of mishandled evidence and procedural irregularities further mar the investigation.
At Gudu Cemetery in Abuja, where Joshua was laid to rest, his parents, Honourable Daniel Oneal Ejigbo and Mrs. Ifeoma Ejigbo, continue their quest for justice amidst emotional turmoil. “Justice for your child is not optional—it is as necessary as breathing,” remarks Honourable Ejigbo.
As Nigeria’s justice system grapples with this unresolved case, it serves as a poignant reminder of the gap between constitutional ideals and institutional realities. The Ejigbo family’s pursuit of justice symbolizes a broader struggle for equal protection under the law in Nigeria.
As the case enters its second year without resolution, the fate of Joshua Èjuojo Daniel-Ejigbo underscores a pivotal challenge for Nigeria’s judiciary—whether justice delayed will indeed mean justice denied.
