Beyond Crypto: Blockchain for Justice
For years, blockchain has been synonymous with cryptocurrencies. But innovators continue to push the technology into new territory, proving it can power much more than financial speculation. One such effort is Padi Protocol, a Nigerian startup founded by blockchain engineer Daniel Tambee, which aims to protect citizens from wrongful imprisonment by securing evidence and identity on the blockchain.
The platform combines three key features: NFT-based digital IDs, an evidence engine that uploads video and photos directly to the blockchain, and a lawyer-assignment system for users facing legal trouble. Together, these tools are designed to give ordinary Nigerians a stronger defense in a justice system where documentation and proof can make the difference between freedom and jail.
Born from Protest: The EndSARS Catalyst
Tambee traces the inspiration for Padi Protocol back to the 2020 EndSARS protests, when young Nigerians demonstrated against police brutality. Despite livestreamed videos showing violence, authorities insisted the footage was fabricated.
“The video evidence was live-streamed, but the government still insisted it was doctored,” Tambee recalled. “For me, that was a call to action to create something tamper-proof.”
Blockchain’s immutability offered the solution. Once data is stored on-chain, it cannot be altered without consensus from the network. That makes it nearly impossible for governments—or anyone else—to discredit or delete evidence once uploaded.
How Blockchain Evidence Works
Padi Protocol functions like a camera app, but with one crucial difference: every image or video taken is instantly uploaded to the blockchain. Much like Snapchat’s recording style, users press and hold the shutter button for video capture, and the file is time-stamped, encrypted, and stored permanently.
Unlike cloud platforms such as Google Drive or Instagram—where governments can request takedowns—blockchain evidence is immutable and censorship-resistant. Tambee points to recent reports showing that TikTok removed all government-requested content in Nigeria during the second half of 2024 as proof that centralised platforms are vulnerable to state pressure.
Padi Protocol leverages IPFS (InterPlanetary File System), a peer-to-peer storage network, to ensure files remain secure, accessible, and tamper-proof. By integrating IPFS into a simple user interface, the platform puts advanced decentralised storage in the hands of everyday Nigerians.
NFT IDs and Legal Support
Evidence storage is only part of the vision. Padi Protocol also allows users to mint their identification as NFTs, creating a blockchain-verified backup of their physical IDs. In theory, this provides a tamper-proof way to confirm identity if a physical card is lost or unavailable.
However, Tambee admits adoption may face cultural hurdles. “Showing a police officer an NFT ID in Nigeria could be confusing,” he acknowledged. For now, the feature serves more as a backup than a replacement for physical documents.
The third component of the platform is a lawyer-matching system. In the event of legal trouble, Padi Protocol connects users with a lawyer who can respond quickly, potentially preventing wrongful detention.
Challenges Ahead: Adoption and Sustainability
Despite its promise, Padi Protocol remains pre-launch. Tambee is currently seeking pre-seed funding to bring the platform to market. Questions remain about how users will pay for the service and whether it can gain traction in Nigeria’s complex legal and political environment.
For now, the business model centers on fees for NFT minting and legal services. But Tambee concedes the startup will likely need to diversify revenue streams in the future.
“We’re not banking too hard on these,” he said. “Eventually, we’re going to have to pivot into other forms of revenue.”
A Tool for the People?
Padi Protocol reflects a broader shift in how blockchain is being reimagined in Africa—not as a vehicle for speculation, but as an infrastructure for accountability and rights protection. If successful, it could provide citizens with the tools to safeguard their freedom in moments when traditional systems fail.
Still, the road ahead is uncertain. The platform must secure funding, prove its usability in real-world encounters, and overcome skepticism from both authorities and users. But for Tambee, the mission remains clear: give Nigerians a fighting chance in the justice system by ensuring evidence and identity cannot be erased or manipulated.
