Even if I lack the locus standi to prosecute some persons or officials in our midst, I still strongly believe I’ve some amount of immunity to justify any scenario taking place within my territory.
In other words, most of us are naturally gifted with the initiative and prowess of putting up a judgment over any occurring drama or observation irrespective of our professions.
It could be recalled that in August 18, 2011, Justice Isa Ayo Salami of Nigeria was suspended as the President of the country’s Court of Appeal by the National Judicial Council (NJC) when the said body found him guilty of gross misconduct following his refusal to apologize to former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu whom he accused of victimizing him for refusing to compromise the then gubernatorial election dispute in Sokoto State.
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Subsequently, the Judicial body (NJC) abruptly turned round to recall the principal judicial officer and recommended him to the presidency for reinstatement without stating any reason for the urgent recall.
In its remark, the NJC said that it’s within its constitutional powers to recall and reinstate any justice of the Court of Appeal, or any court of competent jurisdiction, and does not require the President’s consent.
Come to think of it, if truly the presidential immunity was not required or that they don’t owe the presidency any reason whatsoever for the recall, why did they find it difficult to understand that the public opinion or view was of high importance in any action meant to be taken by the body?
More so, a few weeks earlier, the then Nigeria’s President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan granted a presidential pardon to the convicted former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and the ex-Managing Director of the Bank of the North, Mr. Shettima Bulama, among others based on the decision taken by the Council of State.
The bitter and controversial side of the story was that such a decision was taken without minding or considering the anticipatory reactions of the citizenry or the general public. This means that the action was taken out of personal interest.
The funniest part was that, Chief Alamieyeseigha was extricated while the United Kingdom (UK) was still seeking for his extradition to the (UK) to be tried for a crime he allegedly committed.
On the other hand, sometime ago, one of the banner headlines of The Punch Newspaper read, “Akpabio admits rigging primary election”. The inside of the Page 8 of the paper stated that the then Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, who is now the Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs, allegedly confessed that he manipulated the result of the 2007 People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senatorial Primary election in the State by single-handedly replacing the winner with the name of his preferred candidate.
Based on what the said paper wrote, the then sitting governor said the manipulation was necessary in order to give the people of Ikono and Ini LGAs a sense of belonging. According to him, the people of the aforementioned LGAs were yet to produce a senator since 1960 till 2007. Consequently, his political equation yielded the emergence of Sen. Aloysius Etok who hails from the affected area.
Notwithstanding, even if the group in question was yet to produce a senator, did it call for rigging? Also, if truly that rigging was imposed as published, must it be confessed to the public hearing, thereby portraying impunity? That could best be described as impunity begotten by extreme immunity, which has hitherto been the case on the African continent.
Apart from the above anomalies, many similar phenomena have been lingering on the socio-political rostrum of most countries in Africa. Such a phenomenon has become a recurring decimal that one cannot just fathom the number of times it takes place in our polity on a daily basis. In recent times, it seems Nigeria has suddenly become the engine room of such anti-social act.
The public office holders or the political leaders in Africa, particularly Nigeria, should endeavour to live up to the expectations of their subjects. They ought to learn how to carry the entire public along in their respective scheme of works or obligations.
For sanity, or effective and efficient democratic system, to be actualized in the Nigerian State and that of other African nations, the rule of law or due process must be properly adhered to, by the concerned authorities. Hence, the congress/public opinion must not be left out before carrying out any action.
Nigeria as a country is obviously and indisputably of age, thus old enough to know her right from her left. Therefore, she must endeavour to tell herself nothing but the truth if we are sincerely determined to embrace the anticipated change.
Sixty one years as an independent nation, and over a century as an entity, is enough numbers that can guarantee a concrete existence as a people.