The post reported that a Nigerian postgraduate student in the UK was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for raping a 17-year-old girl in Bradford. The story drew strong reactions, with one controversial comment stating, “But what if he’s innocent? What if the so-called little girl lied? Don’t forget he’s a Nigerian & he’s a black man. Racism is real people!! One love. Don’t play.”
While racism exists and should always be challenged, using it to dismiss a confirmed sexual assault conviction is problematic. Such comments downplay the trauma of the victim and promote distrust in legitimate judicial outcomes. If the accused believed he was innocent, the proper channel was an appeal, not baseless online assumptions. It’s important to separate verified injustice from emotional defense based on shared identity. Justice should always center truth and the protection of victims — not sentiments.
LINKS
https://x.com/NigeriaStories/status/1985674652027408787
