Let the law guide our actions and deeds so that Nigeria can grow because it has seeds of greatness.
By Ohio I.M.Candy
We regard leadership of our country – Nigeria, as wicked and corrupt but the followership is not better.
Nigerians are vandalizing the nation’s assets and heirlooms to enrich themselves to the detriment of all of us.
On the 11th of January, 2025 it was reported that the National Grid (our main source of power) had collapsed for the 13th times since last year as a result of the activities of vandals (though denied by TCN), and before then, it was reported that many of the grilles and protectors covering the manholes along major roads in our cities particularly in Abuja and Benin had been excavated and stolen.
Very big companies and corporations in the country have been fingered as accomplices in this dastard act.
Nigeria has consistently failed to meet its oil production quota of 1.5m bpd allotted to it by the OPEC because of vandalism and oil theft. This is rather very sad and unfortunate because many citizens of other climes are building their countries while we are stealing our assets to build individual empires.
It is even more unfortunate that many of us perceive wrong as right and view bad as good. This is the situation right from our nuclear families to the national level.
Now parents indoctrinate their children into the despicable and odious culture of corruption and religious leaders propel adherents of their faiths to seek wealth and fame through fair and foul means.
Many Nigerians (high and low) have been known to lie about their age, so instead of the original birth certificates, what you have in most files are sworn affidavits of declaration of age.
Some of our Judges have been found to be the most offending souls alive in this regard. The very reason why some Judges were retired a few months ago by the N.J.C. Many of the cases in
election tribunals are tainted with allegations of forgery and certificate racketeering and this has now become a part of us.
Ordinarily, our Judges deserve priestly reverence but of recent some of their decisions confuse the public rather than clarify andelucidate.
The rulings and judgments in the Emirship tussle in Kano and those of the River State House of Assembly illustrate the point. It is therefore clear that some Judges deliberately refuse to apply that universal principle of justice – that like cases should be treated alike while different cases should be treated differently. This is a central element in justice delivery system everywhere in the world.
You may ask- what is wrong with Nigerians – the leaders and the led? The problem is that Nigerians do not obey law. Disobedience to law is the rule rather than the exception. Added to this is our weak institutions. We do not need strong men i.e. men of means and influence as demonstrated by a U.S. Judge last week when Trump was sentenced but not convicted.
The Judge rightly said that the issue before the court was not necessarily the Presidency of the U.S. but the person of Donald Trump that was on trial. That is a system that is utilitarian and effective. So the law in Nigeria should apply with equal force and relevance to the patricians and plebeians alike. Instead, in Nigeria we assault, insult and even rape the Lady of Justice.
Let the law guide our actions and deeds so that Nigeria can grow because it has seeds of greatness. Afterall, Nigeria is not that “Stupid Snake” that eats itself at the same time.
We therefore pray that Nigerians should change their attitude and make Nigeria a great nation. May 2025 be a better and more fruitful year for all of us. (Amen)
Ohio I.M.Candy, is a Lawyer based in Benin, the Edo State Capital.
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