If you truly believe that this government is serious about fighting corruption, please build your snowman in Tinubu Square…
A nation perennially ruled by visionless liars and crooks, rarely elevates good men and women, as judges, and as corruption has taken root over the last 30-40 years, this tendency has become entrenched, and has come to define the appointive processes to the judiciary, and the criteria for elevation to the superior courts. Once at the Supreme Court however, elevation is based on turn by turn, and turn is taken on the basis of seniority on the court’s bench. It is Mr. Onnoghen’s turn.
Except it be in error, or the person developed the inconvenience of a conscience. The most intelligent crooks decorate the pinnacles of the hierarchy of our judiciary, mirroring the society itself, and just as hypocritical in its posturings as the generality of Nigerians. The real criminals, sit in judgement over the victims, and those pushed into lives of crime, get sent to the finishing schools for aspiring criminals. We have the judiciary we deserve……
Whatever becomes of Onnoghen, let nobody deny him his seat on account of unproven allegations of corruption. If he is deemed kwarapt, by all means, prosecute him. Not on the pages of newspapers or blogosphere, the courts do not exist solely for the victims populating our cells, and jails have hosted saints and martyrs for aeons.
A trial and perhaps conviction of no less than a Supreme Court justice, will restore confidence in our judiciary and will go a long way to instill discipline in the judiciary and reduce, if not eliminate the impunity with which injustice has been allowed to reign in that temple. The spectacle of Babachir in the next court or cell, as the case may be, will only strengthen the government’s hands in its crusade against corruption. The deodorant must become otapiapia with automatic alacrity.
Diezani has been repeatedly convicted on countless counts of stealing, and we have been shown pictorial and documented evidences of her manifest corruption. What I find curious, is that till date, neither the EFCC, nor any other Nigerian investigative and or prosecutorial agency or body, have sought her extradition from the cold comforts of mama Charley.
If you truly believe that this government is serious about fighting corruption, please build your snowman in Tinubu Square. Until then, please look well, any time you hear them sing the corruption song in justification of some dodgy actions, and or inactions. Let someone invent some other excuse, after all, aircraft maintenance metamorphed into a letter to the senate.
In the absence of clear legal basis for denial of his elevation, the delay in the substantive appointment of Mr. Onnoghen, adds to the unnecessary and unhelpful atmosphere of dishonor, that has enveloped the judiciary In recent times. This stinks, and will further undermine an already compromised system, nobody wins.
DF
Published 10 February, 2017.
