Recent happenings in this country called Nigeria have not been palatable. If you are a Nigerian, and you understand the implications of these happenings, you will be more concerned and prayerful for our beloved nation.
My major concern here is on the Court of Appeal Judgement acquitting Al-Mustapha and sofolahan from the conviction of murder earlier handed to them by the Lagos State High Court. A lot of people; educated, and uneducated have come out to term it as a "victory for the Rule of law in Nigeria". Though, I have no issue with the judgement delivered by the Honourable Court of Appeal Justices, but I have not stopped asking myself why it had to take 14 years for the case to be decided. we understand that this is a high profile case and a lot of things are involved, but to my mind, there is no justification in depriving a Nigerian his freedom for such a long time even when we claimed to have adopted the democratic system of government for over 12 years of the said 14 years.
Regrettably, my attempt to explain the situation away as a high profile case (or one with political flavour) failed when I remember thousands of Nigerians in our prisons who have spent years in detention but are yet to be sentenced or pronounced guilty by a competent court. some of them have not even been taken to court for trial yet they have been remanded in prison for more than the period the crime they are accused for would have warranted.
Al-Mustapha's trial is one of murder and I understand that it is a very sensitive one, but does that explain or justify denying them of their freedom for those years? A person on criminal trial is referred to as an accused person and even under the constitution of Nigeria, he is still presumed to be innocent until the contrary is proved. this means that not with standing the weight of the evidence against him,he is deemed to be innocent until the Court pronounces to the contrary.
I refuse to celebrate this event, infact, it has got me wondering. after 14 years of suffering, confinement, loneliness, separation from family members, etc, we now tell him he is free and he should go home . he should go home and meet who/what? what are we celebrating?
Al-Mustapha may have his reasons for celebrating his freedom as he has done so far, but my concern is for the thousands who are not known and who hardly make news, a lot of them will never get to the news because theirs is not 'high profile cases' as this, some of them have even lost hope of ever regaining their freedom. we have to stand for them, Human Right Organizations are trying but they can not do it alone. we the "free citizens" must take on the fight.
what can i do? I hear you asking, you may not have the money to get a lawyer for them, but you can report such cases within your knowledge to the Legal Aid Council. you can give as many of such cases as much publicity as you can. there are human rights Organisations and Activists that are willing to take this on. There are also lawyers who do pro bono services. we can not just sit back, fold our arms, and watch in silence because that person who is unduly imprisoned could have been you, your family member or your friend. TAKE ACTION NOW.
Till we meet next time, you can only get better. STAY BLESSED.
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