A statue of Lady Justice, creatively reimagined by a sculpture undergraduate at the University of Benin, has been dismantled on the orders of the institution’s authorities.
It could not be ascertained when the statue, which stood briefly in front of the Students’ Hostel at the university’s Ekenwan Campus, Benin City, was erected.
However, unlike the traditional representation, the student sculptor replaced the usual scales in the left hand of the statue with a bag of money.
Eyewitnesses said the controversial design drew mixed reactions on campus before it was pulled down by the university management, displeased with the symbolism.
Lady Justice, often depicted as a blindfolded woman holding a sword and a set of scales, symbolises fairness and impartiality.
The blindfold suggests that justice should be delivered without prejudice, while the scales represent balanced evidence assessment.
However, the student’s version — blindfolded and clutching a money bag — pointedly deviated from tradition, sparking debate over freedom of expression versus institutional decorum.
As of press time, the university had not issued an official statement regarding the removal of the statue.
