Justice is no longer justice if it is one sided - Princewill Chimereze.
Kemi Olunloye a self acclaimed investigative journalist, is not the best of characters in Nigeria. In fact she is not the kind of role model any mother would want her daughter to emulate. But no matter the characters of a person, their human right remains sacrosanct and at all times must be upheld in accordance with the law.
Nigerians woke up to news of the arrest of Kemi Olunloye by a clergyman in Portharcourt and since then, she has been in and out of police custody without any trial. I am one of those who was particularly happy she was arrested if for nothing, to see how authentic her stories are and the veracity of her claims as an investigative journalist but apparently from the look of things, she is just an online troll who probably derives joy being in the news and who can't do without attention seeking and gossip as with most Nigerians online.
But my anger about her arrest and detention, is the blind eye that has greeted her arrest by online warlords, ethnic bigots, religious bigots, those who see political every colouration to issues, hash tag creators hypocritical Christians and Nigerian youths at large. It took Nigerians weeks after her arrest to create an online hash tag that gathered less retweets like an insignificant story. There was no protest on the violation of the rights of Kemi Olunloye by fellow Christians and which was masterminded by supposed Christian man of God who will be hosting a five nights crusade later this month. One wonders what he will preach to his congregations of which one of the principles of the religion he practices and leads a herd, is forgiveness.
Kemi Olunloye’s case, shows a clear hypocrisy of Nigerian Christians. Imagine Kemi was arrested by a Muslim or an Islamic clergyman, within few minutes of her arrest, hash tags would be created. Such hypocritical hash tags would read; #Freekemi, #WeSayNoToIslamization, #IslamIsEvil, #KemiIsAChristian, #KemiIsTheVoiceOfChristians. This hash tags would be retweeted by those who are chronic mischief makers and politicians who want to score political points and play on the gullibility of the people. Aside this, the debate will be online with many half schooled, half baked or sheer illiterates seeing it as a gang up against Christianity all in a bid to score cheap religious points. In fact a hurriedly organized group will spring up demanding within 3 days the release of Kemi Olunloye.
The story will metamorphose into national discuss, radio stations, TV stations and the print media will use them as opinion polls. Nigerians will phone in and condemn in totality the arrest of the lady whether she is guilty or not. A clear example is how this same shameful set of people started a hash tag for notorious armed robber Evans. Only that those whose conscience are still intact suppressed it. But it was a clear pointer to the argument of the writer. Another example of such hypocrisy is the violence that greeted Rivers State and Benue State at almost the same time. But online users, mischief makers and characters portrayed by this writer chose that of Benue to cry on and saw that of Rivers state a mere exercise of who kills more. To this set of religious “olodos” the Benue killings is an attempt to wipe out Christian communities in the North and that of Rivers state is a “We-we” something and deserves less condemnation. One wonders if there's any statistics showing the religion of those killed in Benue attacks.
Christians must rise above hypocrisy and emotional blackmail. It makes every argument suspicious and skewed and sometimes makes the desired result of a particular agitation elusive and be seen as mere wailing. This nation must grow above religious colouration of issues and helping politicians to politicize serious national issues for their own gain.
Princewill Chimereze
Writer, Public Affairs Analyst and Social Commentator
He can be followed on Twitter @P_Chimereze
Contact on amadiprincewill1@gmail.com 
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