War On Corruption: “Selective Justice is Injustice,” Says BuhariCritic

Fairness is the most abused leadership
concept, especially in regions where the
judicial system is subjugated by totalitarian
headship. Martin Luther King, Jr. was
absolutely right, that injustice anywhere is
a threat to justice everywhere. But the
current approach of President
Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria in cleansing
his country of corruption makes a mockery
of his designation, and indicates a lack of
knowledge in managing moral philosophy
in the public sector.
For instance, both President Buhari’s Party,
the All Progressives Congress (APC), and
the opposition, the People’s Democratic
Party ran their respective presidential
elections with public funds, improperly
diverted and converted them to campaign
coffers. Former national security adviser,
Sambo Dasuki, allegedly diverted and
apportioned more than 2.2 billion dollars to
politicians and campaign needs. Similarly,
former governor of Rivers State, Chibuike
Rotimi Amaechi who headed President
Buhari’s campaign fund-drive allegedly
stole millions from his state to finance
President Buhari’s Presidential race.
Surprisingly, Mr. Dasuki is currently facing
trial, whereas Mr. Amaechi is rewarded
with a ministerial position.
To make it worse, President Buhari in his
dictatorial fashion had defied court’s order
that granted bail to Mr. Dasuki, and strong-
headedly ordered his re-arrest. In his own
words, here is the reason; “If you see the
atrocities these people committed against
this country, we can’t allow them to jump
bail.” For clarity, this is the President talking
– not the prosecutor. In other words,
besides making himself the overseer of
Petroleum Resources Ministry, the Buhari
has also become the Attorney General and
Minister of Justice. At the moment, all
judges report to him, and all court rulings or
judgements are screened in Aso Rock
before delivery.
Yet we must not forget that failure of
elected officers to abide by the rule of law
is the height of indiscipline and misconduct.
So, how could President Buhari fight
corruption by abusing the judicial arm –
violating court orders, and terrorizing
judges? How does crowding jailhouses with
suspects whose rights of legal
representation are suppressed create an
effective ethical culture? How could an
executive team consisting of the most
corrupt politicians in the country influence
decency in the public service system?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with
fighting corruption in a country where
dishonesty in the system is devastating, but
hiding behind a so called “war against
indiscipline” to profile individuals in the
most tyrannical style is reprehensible.
Nigeria is a country where every single
public officer, including the President has a
looting record. Singling out individuals or
parties as scapegoats may not fix the
structure, but may amorally implant a
retaliatory culture in the governance
system.
Pragmatically, overhauling massive ethical
lapses in the public sector requires relevant
legislations to discourage corrupt attitudes
and gradually reform the system with
effective moral culture. Administration of
justice is the firmest pillar of government.
Unfortunately, a suppression of the judicial
arm in Nigeria leaves a hopelessly corrupt
leadership structure.
Take for instance, the 2010 case of a
Former United States representative,
William Jefferson of Louisiana. Rep.
Jefferson, infamous for having $90,000 in
bribe money hidden in his freezer, is
serving a 13-year prison sentence after
being convicted on a slew of federal
corruption charges. However, one of the
most puzzling and intriguing aspect of the
case is that Jefferson’s partner-in-crime,
Atiku Abubakar, the vice president of
Nigeria at the time was not prosecuted by
his country. Abubakar remained a hero in
Nigeria, still treading on public funds and
running elections to become his country’s
president.
the United States, The anti-corruption
legacy is embedded in the constitution and
enforced appropriately. Various provisions
in the Constitution deal squarely with
corruption, thereby limiting the
opportunities for self-enrichment, and
permitting impeachment of any officer of
the United States, including the President
and Vice President, for “Treason, Bribery, or
other high crimes and Misdemeanors.”
I would say again, that my criticisms of
Buhari’s fight against corruption is not an
attack on implanting moral decency in the
system, but a condemnation of tyranny,
discriminatory justice, and suppression of
the judicial process. What we have
evidenced so far is an angry leader, who in
shear execution of his animosity, is
clamping down on the opposition under the
disguise of wiping corruption in the system.
In a true democratic setting, chasing public
fund lotters with horsewhips and dictating
orders to throw individuals in jail, or
denying them bail are definitely not the
responsibility of this president. Therefore,
we must condemn President Buhari’s
prevalent approach to ethical management
as a primeval jungle justice; a totalitarian
show of senselessness and cruelty.

Demands For Garri Drops As Lassa Virus Disease Kills One In Lagos

The victim of the index case of Lassa fever in
Lagos State has died.
The patient admitted to LUTH In Idi Araba died
at the treatment center today.
As it stands, 3 out of the 14 suspected cases had
tested positive to the killer virus.
Investigation in markets across Lagos, showed
that a bag of garri which sold for N3,800 a week
ago now sells for N3,500 due to low demand
after LASG warns indigene to stop consuming
raw Garri and other food that attracts rodents.