FWINBE THOMAS GOFWAN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION (FTGMF) ADVOCATES AGAINST THE INJUSTICE OF ‘MOB VIOLENCE’ IN AFRICA
History Of The Foundation: A Focus On Fwinbe Thomas Gofwan
FWINBE THOMAS GOFWAN, a vibrant young man of 35yrs was a victim of Mob lynching on Monday25th September 2023 by a group of motorcyclists and around Domkat Bali junction of Tudun Wada Jos Plateau state, who felt disgruntled for still unknown reasons and chased him, shouting thief! Thief!. People being deceived by the call of the mob, intercepted him in His Car, being PREJUDICED already, did not bother to probe further about the allegation against him and proceeded to melt out inappropriate and illegal punishment on their victim. He was brutally beaten and killed for stealing the car. He was killed for stealing a car that belonged to him.
Sadly, in many African nations, including Nigeria, ‘Mob Lynching’ wrongly phrased as ‘jungle justice’, ‘mob justice’ or ‘street justice’ is a highly problematic and prevalent problem. By taking the law into their own hands with no attempts at verifying the allegation, people engage in this type of vigilantism, which often results in extrajudicial brutality, torture, and death. These Mob actions create a cycle of deep Pain and injustice that has to be addressed.
These Mob actions are a symptom of several underlying societal problems, such as:
- Lack of trust in the legal system
- widespread poverty & Illiteracy
- Indiscipline and lack of civic responsibility.
- No repercussions for participants of Mob action
- Lack of access to legal counsel,
- Inefficiency and corruption of the legal system.
Though these mob action arise from sincere dissatisfaction with the official legal system, it continues a cycle of injustice. Mob justice compromises the concepts of fairness, due process, and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Genuine criminals may escape punishment, while innocent victims like Fwinbe Thomas Gofwan suffer severe repercussions.
Mob lynching or jungle justice is contrary to Section 31 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which provides the ‘Right to Life’ to all Nigerians and no one can be deprived of his right to life except with the valid judgment of a competent court of law.
The tragic story of Fwinbe Thomas Gofwan and the vacuum in the advocacy space has led to the creation of this foundation which has as one its core aims
Public awareness and education are needed to educate citizens about the dangers and injustices of jungle justice. Promoting the importance of reporting crimes to the police and allowing the legal system to take its course can help change attitudes. No person, family or community should have to suffer the pain Fwinbe Thomas Gofwan and his family felt on the 25th of September 2023.