Public commentator Mahdi Shehu has condemned Nigeria’s leadership and justice system following the conviction of a man accused of stealing food to survive, accusing the country of punishing the poor while shielding those who loot public funds.
In a post shared on X on Wednesday, Mahdi Shehu reacted to the conviction of Anas Lawal, describing the case as a troubling illustration of how hunger-induced offences are dealt with severely, while large-scale corruption is often left unchecked.
“If you want to steal in Nigeria, steal big,” Mahdi Shehu wrote.
He lamented what he called a system that rewards corruption and criminalises poverty.
He argued that if the convicted man had stolen trillions of naira, he would not be in prison but enjoying power and privileges.
“Had he stolen N1.3 trillion, he would have made it to the national reconciliation committee. If it was N700 billion, he would be contesting for Senate President. If it was N340 billion, he would be a governor enjoying immunity.”
Mahdi Shehu added that even those accused of looting massive sums are often appointed to top government positions.
“If he had been part of those who stole hundreds of trillions, he would be an ambassador by now,” he said.
Instead, he noted, hunger pushed the man to steal food to feed his family, and the law came down heavily on him.
“But hunger made him steal food items to feed his family, and the court pounced on him,” Shehu stated.
He went further to condemn political leaders.
According to him, they should feel ashamed for creating conditions that force citizens into stealing to survive.
“All leaders, by whatever name or title, should bury their heads in shame for forcing people to steal out of hunger and starvation,” he wrote.
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