Draft:Padi Protocol
| Submission declined on 20 November 2025 by Pythoncoder (talk). This submission does not appear to be written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. Entries should be written from a neutral point of view, and should refer to a range of independent, reliable, published sources. Please rewrite your submission in a more encyclopedic format. Please make sure to avoid peacock terms that promote the subject.
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
|  |
| Company type | DAO |
|---|---|
| Industry | Blockchain, Legal technology, Human rights |
| Founded | 2025 |
| Founder | Daniel Tambee |
| Headquarters | Lagos, Nigeria |
Area served | Nigeria (planned: Africa) |
| Products | Mobile app for immutable evidence storage, NFT digital IDs, legal aid network |
| Website | padiprotocol |
Padi Protocol is a Nigerian blockchain platform launched in 2025 to preserve evidence of police brutality and human-rights abuses using the Celo blockchain and IPFS.[1][2] Founded by Lagos-based developer Daniel Tambee after the 2020 EndSARS protests, the platform allows users to upload photos, videos, and reports that become tamper-proof and court-admissible under Nigeria's Evidence Act.[3][4]
The platform addresses systemic issues in Nigerian law enforcement by creating an immutable record of alleged abuses that cannot be destroyed or tampered with by authorities. Users receive an NFT-based digital ID linked to a vetted lawyer and can pay for legal help with the platform's $PADI token. Over 500 Nigerian lawyers have been trained to use the system.[1][2]
Background
[edit]The EndSARS Movement
[edit]The Padi Protocol emerged from the widespread civil unrest during the EndSARS protests of October 2020, when thousands of Nigerians, primarily youth, took to the streets to demand the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian Police Force accused of extrajudicial killings, torture, extortion, and harassment.[3] The protests culminated in the Lekki massacre on October 20, 2020, when security forces allegedly fired on peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos, killing and injuring dozens.
In the aftermath of EndSARS, documentation of police brutality became a critical concern. Victims and witnesses frequently reported that evidence of abuse—including photographs, videos, and medical records—disappeared from their devices or was destroyed by police during arrests. This pattern of evidence destruction undermined accountability efforts and left victims without legal recourse.[3]
Founding and Development
[edit]Daniel Tambee, a software developer based in Lagos, conceptualized Padi Protocol in late 2020 as a response to these challenges. Tambee had personally witnessed several incidents of police harassment in his neighborhood and became convinced that technology could play a role in protecting evidence and ensuring accountability. The name "Padi" derives from Nigerian Pidgin English, meaning "friend" or "buddy," reflecting the platform's mission to serve as an ally to victims of police abuse.[4]
Development of the platform began in early 2024, with Tambee assembling a team of blockchain developers, human rights lawyers, and civil society activists. The project received early support from Nigerian tech communities and international blockchain foundations focused on social impact applications.
Technology
[edit]Blockchain Architecture
[edit]Padi Protocol is built on the Celo blockchain, a mobile-first platform chosen for its accessibility, low transaction costs, and commitment to financial inclusion in emerging markets. Celo's carbon-negative consensus mechanism also aligned with the project's values of sustainability and social responsibility.[1]
Evidence submitted through the platform is stored using the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), a distributed file storage protocol that creates permanent, verifiable records. When a user uploads a photograph, video, or written report, the content is encrypted and distributed across multiple nodes in the IPFS network. A cryptographic hash of the file is then recorded on the Celo blockchain, creating an immutable timestamp and proof of existence.[3]
This architecture ensures that even if individual copies of evidence are deleted or destroyed, the original content can be retrieved from the distributed network and its authenticity verified through the blockchain record. The system is designed to meet the requirements for electronic evidence under Nigeria's Evidence Act of 2011, which allows for the admission of electronic documents in court proceedings if their integrity can be established.
NFT Digital Identity System
[edit]A distinctive feature of Padi Protocol is its NFT-based digital identity system. When users register on the platform, they receive a unique, non-transferable NFT that serves as their digital identity credential. This NFT contains encrypted personal information and is linked to a verified legal professional who has agreed to provide initial consultation services.[4]
The NFT ID system serves multiple purposes. It creates a persistent identity for users that cannot be erased or manipulated, provides an automatic connection to legal assistance, and enables the platform to track patterns of police abuse across multiple incidents and locations. The NFT metadata includes the user's case history, evidence submissions, and interactions with the legal network, creating a comprehensive record that can support both individual cases and systemic reform efforts.
$PADI Token Economy
[edit]The platform operates with its own utility token, $PADI, which facilitates transactions within the ecosystem. Users can purchase $PADI tokens to pay for legal services, with lawyers receiving payment in the token for consultations, case preparation, and court representation. The token can also be used to access premium features, such as expedited legal review or connections to specialized attorneys.[2]
The token economy is designed to incentivize lawyer participation while keeping services affordable for victims of police abuse. A portion of token transaction fees is allocated to a community fund that subsidizes legal aid for users who cannot afford legal representation, ensuring that economic barriers do not prevent access to justice.
Legal Network
[edit]Padi Protocol has established partnerships with over 500 Nigerian lawyers who have undergone specialized training in using the platform's technology and handling cases involving police brutality and human rights violations.[1] The training program, developed in collaboration with Nigerian bar associations and civil rights organizations, covers technical aspects of blockchain evidence, legal standards for admissibility, and strategies for representing victims of police abuse.
Lawyers in the network are vetted through a multi-stage process that includes verification of their bar credentials, review of their professional experience, and endorsement by civil society organizations working on police accountability. The platform maintains quality standards by collecting user feedback and monitoring case outcomes, with underperforming lawyers subject to removal from the network.
The legal network is organized geographically, with attorneys distributed across Nigeria's major cities and regions. When a user registers and receives their NFT ID, they are automatically matched with lawyers in their area who have expertise relevant to their situation. This localized approach ensures that legal assistance is accessible and culturally appropriate.
Impact and Reception
[edit]Media Coverage
[edit]The project has received extensive coverage in Nigerian media for its innovative application of blockchain technology to human rights protection. Major Nigerian publications including Vanguard and Punch have featured stories on the platform, emphasizing its potential to address longstanding challenges in police accountability.[1][2]
Technology-focused outlets such as TechCabal and Techpoint Africa have highlighted Padi Protocol as an example of blockchain's potential beyond financial applications, noting that it represents a shift toward using decentralized technology for social impact and governance reform.[3][4] This coverage has positioned the platform within broader conversations about technology's role in addressing institutional failures and empowering marginalized communities.
User Adoption
[edit]As of November 2025, specific user adoption numbers have not been publicly disclosed. However, the platform has reported successful documentation of multiple cases of alleged police abuse, with several cases proceeding to court with blockchain-verified evidence. The platform's mobile-first design has been crucial to its accessibility, as most Nigerians access the internet primarily through smartphones.
Civil Society Partnerships
[edit]Padi Protocol has established partnerships with Nigerian civil society organizations focused on police reform and human rights advocacy. These partnerships provide the platform with on-the-ground networks for user education, legal support, and advocacy efforts. Civil society partners help identify communities most affected by police abuse and conduct training sessions on how to use the platform safely and effectively.
Challenges and Criticism
[edit]Technical Barriers
[edit]Despite its mobile-first design, Padi Protocol faces challenges related to digital literacy and internet access in Nigeria. Many potential users, particularly in rural areas and among economically disadvantaged populations, may lack the technical knowledge or reliable internet connectivity required to use the platform effectively. Critics have noted that those most vulnerable to police abuse may be least able to access blockchain-based solutions.
Legal Recognition
[edit]While Nigeria's Evidence Act permits the use of electronic evidence in court, the actual acceptance of blockchain-verified evidence by judges remains untested in most jurisdictions. The platform's long-term success depends on building judicial familiarity with blockchain technology and establishing precedents for the admissibility of IPFS-stored evidence. Some legal experts have expressed skepticism about whether blockchain evidence will be given the same weight as traditional forms of documentation.
Security Concerns
[edit]The use of a blockchain platform to document police abuse raises safety concerns for users. Victims of police brutality may face retaliation if their identity or evidence submissions become known to authorities. While the platform employs encryption and privacy protections, the immutable nature of blockchain records means that any security breach could have permanent consequences. The platform has implemented measures to protect user anonymity, but critics argue that no system can guarantee complete security in environments where powerful institutions may seek to suppress evidence.
Tokenization Concerns
[edit]The use of a proprietary $PADI token for payment has drawn criticism from some observers who question whether tokenization adds unnecessary complexity to what could be a simpler system. Critics argue that requiring users to acquire and transact in a cryptocurrency token may create barriers to access and expose users to the volatility and risks associated with crypto markets. Defenders of the token model contend that it creates a sustainable economic system for the platform and enables features that would be difficult to implement with traditional payment methods.
Future Developments
[edit]Pan-African Expansion
[edit]Padi Protocol has announced plans to expand beyond Nigeria to other African countries facing similar challenges with police accountability and evidence preservation. Potential expansion markets include Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, and Uganda, all of which have documented patterns of police abuse and active civil society movements demanding reform.
The expansion strategy involves adapting the platform to local legal frameworks, establishing partnerships with legal professionals and civil society organizations in each country, and ensuring that the technology is accessible given local infrastructure conditions. The platform's developers have indicated that expansion will proceed gradually, with thorough testing and community engagement in each new market.
Integration with Official Systems
[edit]Long-term goals for the platform include potential integration with official law enforcement oversight mechanisms and judicial systems. If blockchain-verified evidence becomes widely accepted in Nigerian courts and demonstrates its reliability, there may be opportunities for Padi Protocol to serve as an official documentation tool for police conduct review boards, judicial panels of inquiry, or national human rights commissions.
Such integration would represent a significant validation of the platform's approach and could accelerate adoption, but would also raise questions about governance, neutrality, and the risk of co-optation by the institutions the platform was designed to hold accountable.
Enhanced Features
[edit]The development roadmap includes plans for enhanced features such as real-time incident reporting, automated legal analysis using artificial intelligence, integration with international human rights monitoring systems, and expanded support for different types of evidence including audio recordings and forensic documentation.
See Also
[edit]- EndSARS
- Blockchain for social good
- Legal technology in Africa
- Human rights in Nigeria
- Police brutality
- Decentralized autonomous organization
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "New blockchain platform preserves evidence of police brutality in Nigeria". Vanguard. 2025-11-11. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
- ^ a b c d "Fighting police brutality with blockchain". Punch Newspapers. 2025-10-20. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
- ^ a b c d e "Nigeria's police reforms keep failing; blockchain could change that". TechCabal. 2025-06-03.
- ^ a b c d "From NFT IDs to blockchain evidence, this startup wants to keep Nigerians out of jail". Techpoint Africa. 2025-08-18.
External Links
[edit]Category:Blockchain projects Category:Legal technology Category:Social impact startups Category:2025 establishments in Nigeria Category:Companies based in Lagos Category:Human rights organizations based in Nigeria Category:Police accountability Category:Decentralized autonomous organizations
- Promotional tone, editorializing and other words to watch
- Vague, generic, and speculative statements extrapolated from similar subjects
- Essay-like writing
- Hallucinations (plausible-sounding, but false information) and non-existent references
- Close paraphrasing
Please address these issues. The best way is usually to read reliable sources and summarize them, instead of using a large language model. See our help page on large language models.