“I Don’t Like the Way They Are Videoing Me” — Suspected Enugu Ritualist’s Courtroom Clip Sparks Debate on Justice and Media Trials

A viral video of Levi Obieze, a suspected ritualist from Enugu State, has stirred nationwide debate after he was seen repeatedly saying, “I don’t like the way they are videoing me” while in custody.

Obieze, who is facing seven counts of kidnapping and murder, was arraigned for crimes allegedly committed in Umumba Ndiagu and surrounding communities. According to investigators, the suspect was arrested while attempting to flee Nigeria — a detail that has intensified public suspicion about his involvement in high-profile criminal activities.

The footage, reportedly recorded shortly after his arraignment, shows Obieze visibly uncomfortable with being filmed. The repeated captions of his protest have fueled intense discussion online, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where opinions are sharply divided.

While some Nigerians see the public exposure as justified given the severity of the allegations, others argue it represents trial by media — a growing trend in Nigeria where suspects are publicly paraded before their cases are decided in court.

Legal analysts note that such media trials can compromise the presumption of innocence and influence public perception long before a verdict is reached. Critics point to this case as an example of the tension between public safety and due process, warning that high-profile arrests often blur the line between justice and spectacle.

This latest controversy comes amid ongoing debates about the impartiality of Nigeria’s legal and media systems, with Obieze’s case now at the intersection of crime, public opinion, and human rights.

Watch the video below