The Executive and the Law

    
 The nation, it seems, is not prepared for democratic rule. It is like some citizens are  so used to military dictatorship of the past to the extent that most are pro-dictatoship in outlook. Sadly, nothing has been learnt since the return to democratic rule some twenty years ago. Listening to a radio call-in programme i was taken aback when some callers called in to say the continuing detention of Sowore is in order. Some said he  should not be released till he learns his lesson. Some opined that he couldn't call for a revolutionary overthrow (purportedly) of the Buhari government and expect to be released.

 
In all these the callers discounted the fact that a court of competent jurisdiction had set and accepted Sowore's bail conditions and application respectively. By the way, the bail conditions are one of the most stringent in memory. Unfortunately, this line of reasoning is behind some people's acceptance of the non release of   Nigeria’s former national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and Shiite leader, Ibrahim el-Zakzaky.   Even  after several court orders ordered for their release,  both are still languishing in detention and would continue to be into the foreseeable future (the way things are going).  

  Some people can't get their heads round the fact democracy is not only about civilian rule but the rule of law and the principle of separation of powers. If the government goes to the court and the decision goes against it,  the right thing to do is to abide by the decision.  The government can't  pick and choose which court orders and decisions to obey.  A government that cherry pick court orders sets a dangerous path for the polity. The consequences are dire. Not least that citizens can start resorting to self help if the perception is that government would not obey valid court orders.

 The SSS even have the nerve and temerity to shoot at protesters seeking to execute a court sanctioned directive. The agency should be told, in no uncertain terms, that they are not a law unto themselves.

It is instructive to note that Mr Sowore met all bail conditions on November 6 and a federal judge signed warrant for his immediate release from the SSS custody, where he had been held since August 5.   Initially the SSS  said it had not received any court order to effect that Sowore should be released on bail. Later, it said no one had come to take Sowore home. Later still, the agency said Sowore's lawyers have not been seen by the agency. The latest statement from the SSS Wednesday afternoon said it refused to release Omoyele Sowore because the “appropriate persons” have not turned up to pick him up at its headquarters. Appropriate persons being the sureties. At each point, the agency's lie was laid bare by those concerned. It is obvious the agency is foot dragging since there is no extant law that says it must release anyone to a "surety" much less an adult. 

   The agency is a creature of the law and therefore should not be seen acting ultra vires. In saner climes, the president would be facing  impeachment proceedings due to his inability, nay reluctance,  to call this government agency to order. No body or agency of government is above the law of the land. 

Pretending to know the law,  or having an idea of what the law should do, would only lead the Executive down the ignominious road to dictatorship. The civil societies and human rights organizations should rise up to the challenge by calling out the government. 

  The grundnorm, the constitution, espouse a distinct policy of separation of powers in government. The Legislators to make laws, the Judiciary  to interpret laws, and the Executive to execute and carry out laws. Any interference of the duties and responsibilities of these arms will only lead to anarchy.

  The  ignorant citizens would do well to know that no matter anyone's idea, love for the president, political affiliation, tendencies, etc., the constitution is supreme in a democracy. 

Senator Ishaku Abbo Assault and Matters Arising

     

     The latest saga of a Senator (Ishaku Elisha Abbo) slapping a salesgirl has brought to the fore reasons why our politicians should not be given police protection. The Senator,  41,representing Adamawa-North Senatorial district slapped and assaulted the said nursing mother at a sex toy shop just for intervening in a dispute between the shopowner and the Senator. Earlier,  one of the Senator entourage, a lady,  had vomited inside the shop. This led to the altercation between both parties. This  ordinarily should have been settled amicably but for the headiness and power drunkenness of the youthful Senator.
      It really beats me how on earth an individual should be given 24hr protection by the state. Protection against whom? Alas, the status quo will continue if we continue to do the same thing over and over and expect a different result. In saner climes personal security are taken personally. We have a plethora of private security outfits in Nigeria who have the abilities to provide personal security for anyone so willing. The second  plank of my argument is that a police man could be seen and heard corralling the poor lady at the behest of the overlord, the Senator. Did he know that it is illegal, according to the Nigerian Constitution, to be the accuser, the judge, and the executor of a judgment? Nemo judex in causa sua is how the law puts it. You cannot be a judge in your own case. Or,  does the police man know this but,  because he knows which side his bread is being buttered, he chose to heed the master's voice?

    It is well that the Senator has tendered his unreserved apologies.  The ball is in the court of the victim to pursue a claim in court in a civil suit,  if she so desires or the state can take it up as a criminal case. The police officer must however be reprimanded and dealt with according to the police rules and regulations in order to serve as deterrents to  other officers regarding public and official conducts.  It is arguable that the crime against the hapless lady wouldn't have been perpetrated without the active connivance of the state,  as represented by the said police officer.

  The police is always complaining of insufficient manpower to tackle the onerous security situations in the country. To now think police officers are allocated to individuals as bodyguards beats me. Every now and then one hears the police has resolved to withdraw all its personnel from the role of security details to individuals,  only to realise  it is another vacuous red herring. The deceit goes on ad infinitum.
  As the latest saga unravel it is my fervent hope that lessons have been learnt by all parties involved as we go forward.
Www.krskoyo.blogspot.com 

Senator Ishaku Abbo Assault and Matters Arising

     

     The latest saga of a Senator (Ishaku Elisha Abbo) slapping a salesgirl has brought to the fore reasons why our politicians should not be given police protection. The Senator,  41,representing Adamawa-North Senatorial district slapped and assaulted the said nursing mother at a sex toy shop just for intervening in a dispute between the shopowner and the Senator. Earlier,  one of the Senator entourage, a lady,  had vomited inside the shop. This led to the altercation between both parties. This  ordinarily should have been settled amicably but for the headiness and power drunkenness of the youthful Senator.
      It really beats me how on earth an individual should be given 24hr protection by the state. Protection against whom? Alas, the status quo will continue if we continue to do the same thing over and over and expect a different result. In saner climes personal security are taken personally. We have a plethora of private security outfits in Nigeria who have the abilities to provide personal security for anyone so willing. The second  plank of my argument is that a police man could be seen and heard corralling the poor lady at the behest of the overlord, the Senator. Did he know that it is illegal, according to the Nigerian Constitution, to be the accuser, the judge, and the executor of a judgment? Nemo judex in causa sua is how the law puts it. You cannot be a judge in your own case. Or,  does the police man know this but,  because he knows which side his bread is being buttered, he chose to heed the master's voice?

    It is well that the Senator has tendered his unreserved apologies.  The ball is in the court of the victim to pursue a claim in court in a civil suit,  if she so desires or the state can take it up as a criminal case. The police officer must however be reprimanded and dealt with according to the police rules and regulations in order to serve as deterrents to  other officers regarding public and official conducts.  It is arguable that the crime against the hapless lady wouldn't have been perpetrated without the active connivance of the state,  as represented by the said police officer.

  The police is always complaining of insufficient manpower to tackle the onerous security situations in the country. To now think police officers are allocated to individuals as bodyguards beats me. Every now and then one hears the police has resolved to withdraw all its personnel from the role of security details to individuals,  only to realise  it is another vacuous red herring. The deceit goes on ad infinitum.
  As the latest saga unravel it is my fervent hope that lessons have been learnt by all parties involved as we go forward.
Www.krskoyo.blogspot.com 

Pst. Fatoyinbo of COZA And the Rest of Us

     How I hope people would carry placards against Ruga settlement. Which is an existential threat to a lot of people. If Pst. Fatoyinbo is a rapist, the "victim" should go to court and seek redress. If some people believe he should still be their Pastor, so be it. All these  energy should be directed at the real threat facing the nation.  This is simply diversionary. It is what the powers that be want.  A diversion.  When did the incident happened? When Fulani cattle rearers are busy taking over territories in the Middle belt and Southern Nigeria,  some people are not concerned but would rather go out to demonstrate against an accused Pastor.     

                                            

      Ordinarily, the courts are in a better position to abjudicate is on this kind of issues, if the alleged victim(s) so desires. It would have been all well and good if the nation is not beset with so many existential threats.  People should get their priorities right and not be busy twiddling their fingers while their houses are on fire. You don't have a fire on your rooftop and go to sleep. That people are so organized as to come out for a demonstration and protest, complete with placards in such short notice,  is a new one on me. Get me right,  I am not in support of any of the parties but that the Fatoyinbo saga is in danger of eclipsing issues like the Fulani herdsmen Ruga settlement bill. The energies of the people should be geared towards emancipating themselves from their collective oppressor.

The late Prof. Pius Adesanmi

   Professor Pius Adesanmi, a writer, literary critic, satirist, columnist and Professor at Carlton University, Ottawa, Canada is among those that died this morning on the ill fated Ethiopia airline. He was on  his way to attend the AU ECOSOCC committee meeting.
 

Recall that he had an accident on the Oyo-Ogbomosho road July 17, 2018. He told  friends then that “It was a miracle I survived... I nearly bled to death. No help for over four hours.” He injured his left leg but the driver was not so lucky as he was admitted to the hospital  in that incident. He was on his way to Lagos from Ilorin to board a flight to Dakar for a meeting,  that time. The Prof unfortunately didn't make it this time. About 149 passengers and 8 crew members. None survived.   
He was an uncommon promoter of the Nigeria project.  He wanted things to work for the nation. Above all,  he had hope that things would be better for the people. He was an erudite fellow of unusual insight. Nigeria has,  indeed, lost a shining light in Prof.  Pius Adesanmi.  His contribution to our nation building will be sorely missed,  especially, at this trying political time.
   The Prof.  was an alumni of the University of Ilorin,  in Kwara state, Nigeria.  He was the Director of the Institute of African Studies at Carleton University, Canada until his death. May his soul rest in peace.

The late Prof. Pius Adesanmi

   Professor Pius Adesanmi, a writer, literary critic, satirist, columnist and Professor at Carlton University, Ottawa, Canada is among those that died this morning on the ill fated Ethiopia airline. He was on  his way to attend the AU ECOSOCC committee meeting.
 

Recall that he had an accident on the Oyo-Ogbomosho road July 17, 2018. He told  friends then that “It was a miracle I survived... I nearly bled to death. No help for over four hours.” He injured his left leg but the driver was not so lucky as he was admitted to the hospital  in that incident. He was on his way to Lagos from Ilorin to board a flight to Dakar for a meeting,  that time. The Prof unfortunately didn't make it this time. About 149 passengers and 8 crew members. None survived.   
He was an uncommon promoter of the Nigeria project.  He wanted things to work for the nation. Above all,  he had hope that things would be better for the people. He was an erudite fellow of unusual insight. Nigeria has,  indeed, lost a shining light in Prof.  Pius Adesanmi.  His contribution to our nation building will be sorely missed,  especially, at this trying political time.
   The Prof.  was an alumni of the University of Ilorin,  in Kwara state, Nigeria.  He was the Director of the Institute of African Studies at Carleton University, Canada until his death. May his soul rest in peace.

On the General Elections

Low turnout of voters across the nation----News

  In Yagba West and Ijumu LGs of Kogi state and others,  there were reported violence. Hope the state Government headed by Gov.  Yahaya Bello will do the needful and give the necessary leadership so that those on the losing side would accept defeat and move on. Elections should not be a do or die affair. If Nigeria would be good, it would start from the ruling class. A fish begins to go bad from the head. The political leadership should be up and doing in order to chart a viable and forward looking direction for the country. We simply can not afford to continue doing the same thing over and over and expect a different result. This is tantamount to  classical madness according to  Albert Einstein. At my polling unit today,  one could see bags of money and wads of naira being freely distributed to voters. This is a subversion of the peoples' will through monetary inducement. After this election cycle,  Nigerians would do well to take a collective step back and decide if we want to continue along this sorry lane. How can a nation spend so much in order to  achieve so little? Enough of this violence called election.

Elections IS a waste of time in Nigeria. The election schedule also didn't help matters. The Presidential election should have come last. Maybe we should look into letting incumbents continue next elections. We should just share the election budget per capita. Better in the long run. That way, no ballot snatching, maiming, killing, kidnappings, etc, etc. The charade must stop. And to what end?  Ballot snatching here and there. We either want democracy or not. The violence across the nation is just not worth it.
 In Yagba West and Ijumu LGs of Kogi state and others,  there were reported violence. Hope the state Government headed by Gov.  Yahaya Bello will do the needful and give the necessary leadership so that those on the losing side would accept defeat and move on. Elections should not be a do or die affair. If Nigeria would be good, it would start from the ruling class. A fish begins to go bad from the head. The political leadership should be up and doing in order to chart a viable and forward looking direction for the country. We simply can not afford to continue doing the same thing over and over and expect a different result. This is tantamount to  classical madness according to  Albert Einstein. At my polling unit today,  one could see bags of money and wads of naira being freely distributed to voters. This is a subversion of the peoples' will through monetary inducement. After this election cycle,  Nigerians would do well to take a collective step back and decide if we want to continue along this sorry lane. How can a nation spend so much in order to  achieve so little? Enough of this violence called election.
www.krskoyo.blogspot.com

On INEC Election Postponement

      I closed my business since yesterday, only for one incompetent,  clueless, INEC (PMB's appointee) to cancel the election. He should know that INEC operation is all about logistics. A week postponement would not solve the issue of "logistics". If the Chairman of INEC,  Mahmood Yakubu,  couldn't overcome "logistics issues for 3yrs I doubt he would overcome it in a week time. And don't tell me it happened during Jonathan time. Postponement  5 hours to the start of polling is beyond the pale.
   
Anyway,  I believe there is more to it than meets the eye. I refuse to believe there is nothing sinister afoot. It is either that or it is a gross display of incompetence and cluelessness.

Schools closed, Unilorin exams rescheduled, businesses closed,  all because of an election which ended up being postponed. Weddings  would have to be rescheduled and another round of losses for businesses and the nation just around the corner next week again. Youth corpers are already at their places of election duties.  A lot of them slept rough till the early hours of the election morning of 16 Saturday 2019, only to hear of the postponement.  All due to incompetence and cluelessness of PMB and his appointed at INEC.  A huge loss to the nation time and economic costs. In Kogi state,  the governor Yahaya Bello closed the schools from Wednesday till Monday only to have them closed for nothing at the end of the day.
       

A lot of losses of time and economy have occurred at the micro level across the nation. Appointments have been disrupted, travel and business plans will have to be rescheduled. This Postponement is a crime against the nation. Someone who has 3 years to prepare for an election should not be  postponing by a week. A week would not be enough for whatever logistic the INEC chairman,  Mahmood Yakubu,  is talking about.

Minnows of Africa

      It is very unfortunate that Nigeria has come to this sorry pass. A situation whereby in the 80s it was Ghana-must-go but now it is Nigeria-must-go. Our women now go to  Ghana to practice prostitution. It was the other way around in the 80s because of economic downtown in Ghana. Nigeria used to call herself the giant of Africa but now it is apt to call her the minnows of Africa. It is very unfortunate that we have not been able to manage our economy and we frittered away our patrimony through corruption and inordinate consumption. We did not put aside for the rainy day. It is a result of poor leadership.
    

The followership has its own  blame but when all is said and done the  bulk of the problems lie with the leadership. The right leader well go a long way in solving our present predicament. A situation where the real income of Nigerians in the 80s was  a lot more than what obtains at present is not good enough. The leadership should be up and doing. This is the time for action. Nigeria should quit being the prodigal son of Africa.