My Tribute To Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa

REAL ESSENCE OF JUDICIARY: MY TRIBUTE TO LATE JUSTICE OPUTA



Greetings brethren. Obviously, our knowledge of government as a subject taught us the existing three arms of government. Yes we were taught that there are three formidable arms of government in existence; which are the Legislature, the Executive, and of course the Judiciary.

Though we’re not here or we didn’t come to this crusade to discuss the three arms of government; rather, we’re here to solely discuss the third-arm which remains “The Judiciary”. Notwithstanding, we must commence by presenting a bit of the meaning of the three arms.

The legislature makes the law, the executive implements it, whilst the judiciary otherwise known as the “judicial system” or “court system” interprets the said law. Having noted the above facts, we shall now ride on with the prime business of the day.

The Judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state. It also provides a mechanism for the resolution of disputes. Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, the judiciary generally does not make law or enforce law, but rather interprets it as well as applies it to the facts of each case. It is an arm of government that is tasked with ensuring equal justice under law. It usually consists of a court of final appeal known and recognized as the “Supreme Court” or “Constitutional Court”, alongside other lower courts such as the High Court, Customary Court, Court of Appeal, Magistrate Court and what have you.

In many jurisdictions, the judicial branch has the power to change laws through the process of “judicial review”. Suffice to say that, courts with judicial review power may annul the laws and rules of the affected state when it finds them incompatible with a higher norm such as the primary legislation, the provisions of the constitution or the International law. Judges or Justices or better still members of the Bench, constitute a critical force for the interpretation and as well the implementation of a constitution or law.

Frankly, the most enticing aspect of the aforementioned third-arm of government or the judiciary is that, it is widely noted as “The last hope of a common man”. That is; it is an institution where the final hope of a common man lies. Then who’s a “common man”? in a nutshell, a common man is an ordinary man or a person who cannot boast of any material endowment or accomplishment, but can only boast of his/her life. Let’s ride on!

In the Nigerian judicial system, you would bear me witness that there is a name that rings bell; a name that would be remembered for eternity; a name that’s not just powerful but also signifies greatness; and finally, a name that brings hope to a common man. Of course it’s no other name than Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa. It’s no longer news that the bearer of the above name, Retired Honourable Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, CFR redefined as well as refined the Nigeria’s Judicial System. In this regard, he remained one of the frontliners of the Nigerian Judiciary.

In May 2014, the entire world was reportedly informed that the aforementioned Justice has passed on. This was learnt from the official announcement that was issued and duly signed by the prominent son of the great icon in the person of Mr. Charles Oputa popularly known as “Charly Boy”. The announcement reads, “The family of Justice Chukwudifu Oputa wishes to announce the passing to glory of the eminent jurist and a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria at the age of 96 years. He passed on peacefully on Sunday afternoon May 4, 2014 after recovering from a brief illness…” As a person, the above statement was simply a shocker to my whole self; a statement that abruptly took my person to a coma state for several seconds.

Honestly brethren, if the truth must be told then I will unequivocally tell you that the news of the sudden demise of the eminent jurist and a powerful global legal luminary wasn’t a shocker to only my person, but to the world in its entirety. Surely, the news of the passing on of a man that gave a common man not just a hope but a life called for an outcry. But we sincerely thanked God that he left “peacefully” and at a ripe age too.

They say, “Many are born great, many achieve greatness, while many have greatness entrust upon them.” Frankly, the Late Honourable Justice Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa, CFR was blessed with the three idiosyncrasies. Yes, he was born great, he achieved greatness, and he also had greatness entrusted upon him. He was a legend; he was a distinguished icon; he was truly the last hope of a common man; he was a giant of many colours; in fact, he was an enigma. The footprints he left in the Nigeria’s judicial system through his personal and remarkable effort as well as the impeccable “Oputa Panel” shall live for eternity. Needless to say; though he has gone, but we all especially Imo State where he became the pioneer Chief Justice shall live to remember him.

Who wants to dispute the fact that the late retired Justice of the Apex Court in Nigeria was never blessed with the three aforementioned qualities/endowments? A man who barely knew his parents but still rose to the peak of his career or was able to actualize his dream to the fullness was of course blessed with all manners of greatness. According to history, his father Pa Oputa Uzukwu passed on when he was barely three months old, while his mother Lolo Nwametu Oputa died when he was just six months old. Still he comfortably obtained everything in the Law profession having successfully obtained Bachelor degrees in both Economics and History respectively. No doubt, he was showered with all manners of greatness.

No wonder his burial ceremony was like an event meant for the assembly of all the notable celebrities in the whole wide world. Believe me, no one was absent at the arena, not even the cripple or the blind that hails from the Middle East. The manner in which people and of course dignitaries from all walks of life graced the occasion which took place at Oguta in Imo State was not unconnected to the fact that the late legend Hon Justice Dr. Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa left a legacy worthy of emulation by all and sundry; a legacy that calls for continual celebration; a legacy that even the unborn shall live to remember; above all, a legacy that I personally dream to actualize or uphold. My role model, indeed you have gone, but in my heart you shall live forever. I’ll never for a second forget you.

At this juncture, I call the governments and all well-meaning individuals across the globe to put heads together towards ensuring that the late gigantic elephant in the Nigerian judicial setting, Retired Honourable Justice Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa is duly immortalized globally for posterity sake. It is his right, not a privilege. Think about it!


COMR. FRED DOC NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com

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+2348054719437

BB PIN: 2B0290C8

Land Ownership Tussle

CURRENT DEGREE OF LAND OWNERSHIP TUSSLE


Greetings brethren. I want to commence with the candid remark that, I’m deeply proud of you for always being there for me. Frankly, I wish the gathering of this congregation takes place on a daily basis. Nevertheless, we shall continue to strive for excellence.

I want to use this avenue to reiterate the fact that; in a land controlled by anarchy and imbroglio, the arbiter is the judge. Considering such scenario, one could say that the occupants of the aforementioned land are ‘derailed homosapiens’.

Few days ago, I was opportune to have an online chat with one of mine childhood friends that resides in Enugu, the Coal city. The young man happens to hail from Imo State, Imo North to be precise. In his words, his last trip to his country home mesmerized his mood as an individual. According to him; in his neighbourhood, some of his kinsmen had been in a certain land dispute for years; but recently the incidence degenerated a bloody scene. He went further to inform me that at the moment he was chatting with me, one of the men was already lying in a hospital bed with a heavy cut on his one of his arms.

In my words, I responded that it seems the so-called land dispute melodrama has become ubiquitous. Of course, it’s no longer news that land ownership syndrome or bickering is found virtually everywhere in the Nigerian society. Needless to say that, you all would bear me witness to that effect.

If I’m to begin with a definition, then I would say; land, in a precise term, is the part of the earth’s surface that isn’t covered by water. In other words, land is simply a natural endowment.

And if I must continue with a question, I would ask; who says land is owned by someone? Or better still, how come the lingering issue of ‘land ownership’? This is a simple question all of us is expected to consider in earnest in order to come up with a tangible response/answer. At this juncture, I beg to rest my case as regards tendering a query. Let’s ride on!

If we are to ride on, then I would unequivocally state here that, the contenders over ‘land ownership’ conundrum are simply battling with nature. And I have often made it known to us that no one could battle ‘nature’ owing to the fact that it remains a supremacy over all creatures including mankind.

Let me make it clearer because I’m of the view that the above statement may appear vague to some of us. Believe me, land was made available to mankind by nature itself. Thus, man came into the world and found land in abundance. The scenario was made possible by nature so that, man would be able to cater for himself via agricultural strive as well as have a place to erect a shelter for himself. This is the reason everyone is naturally gifted with agricultural talent or prowess. Mind you; nature simply means the supremacy. And don’t forget that the ‘creator’ remains the supremacy. That’s the angle I’m coming or deliberating from.

The above fact has made it clear that land is not owned by anyone, therefore its purported owner mustn’t indulge in any battle. Surely, land ownership is not meant to be battled over by mankind. Suffice to say; the ongoing degree of land ownership tussle is simply inconsequential and blasphemous. Yes, it signifies that man has abruptly lost his respect for his creator. Thus, he must be called to order. Honestly, no one is above calling to order regardless of his/her status or pedigree. Any derailed homosepian is bound to be called to order, in order to restore normalcy. And for normality to be restored, we must comprehend fully where we are actually coming from. Man is bound to understand his origin.

Before now or those days during the time of our ancestors, there was nothing like land ownership tussle. Even, as at then land could easily be leased or given to someone else by the alleged or presumed owner of the land in question out of charity. Then, they understood fully and truly that land is a natural endowment that can be taken away at anytime by the original owner, which is nature. Conversely, today the reverse is the case; presently what’s observed among mankind is the direct opposite of what our ancestors practised in the past.

Brethren, there’s urgent need for total turnaround. We must wake-up from our respective slumbers and embrace reality to the fullness; else, we are attracting a state of doom that might not have a remedy.

Enough is enough for crying out loud, therefore we must comport ourselves. We ought not to allow an arbiter take the place of a jurist; the anarchy is eating deep in our blood vessel. Think about it, while I continue praying for mankind!



FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348054719437

2014 International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking (Aired Newstalk)

A CALL FOR COLLECTIVE SUPPORT AS THE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING IS BEING COMMEMORATED TODAY THURSDAY JUNE 26, 2014

No doubt, the dream or the prime desire of any society in sober state is to experience a serene and tranquil atmosphere. In other words, every man’s paramount desire is to embrace a trouble-free environment or atmosphere since every society is comprised of at least a man.

An abuse, in a nutshell, can be described as a misuse of anything; while drug is any substance used as a medicine or an illegal substance taken for its stimulating and other effects. In the same vein, drug abuse is simply the misuse of a substance used either as a medicine or stimulant. On the other hand, illicit drug trafficking is an act involving an illegal trading in drugs or other substances forbidden by law.

Considering the above definitions, apparently drug abuse is a social ill that involves two distinct dimensions. It could be the misuse of a substance used as a medicine or the improper intake of medicine by an individual. On the contrary, it could be the intake or misuse of a stimulant that is not supported by law such as cocaine, cannabis, marijuana, Indian helm, just to mention but a few. The former is often as a result of ignorance or negligence, while the latter is wholly a criminal and illegal act and as well more dangerous to both human and animal health.

Today June 26, 2014, the entire world is marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking. It is a day that is being observed annually by all the countries in the whole world to sensitize the general public on the dangers that await drug abuse and its illegal trafficking, and how the cankerworm could be eradicated.

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was established by law in the year 1987 by the United Nations (UN) following the unanimous resolution reached on 7th December 1987 by the UN’s General Assembly. The aforementioned Assembly decided to observe June 26 of every year as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation in order to achieve the goal of seeing an International Society that is totally free from Drug Abuse.

Prior to the Resolution in 1987, the United Nations General Assembly understood that in spite of the continual and increasing efforts by the international community, the global drug predicament continued to constitute a severe threat to public health, the safety and well-being of humanity especially the young people, and the national security and sovereignty of States thereby undermining the socio-economic and political stability of the affected nations.

Thereafter the resolution was reached, the Assembly encouraged the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to continue its work on International Drug Control, and went further to urge all governments to provide the fullest possible financial cum political assistance to enable UNODC actualize its objectives.

Thus, as the world in its entirety marks the annual International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking today being Thursday 26th June, 2014, I call on governments, NGOs, religious bodies, civil societies, stakeholders, medical experts, all concerned agencies/commissions, the media, and all well-meaning individuals to do everything possible to raise awareness of the harm caused by drug abuse and its illicit trafficking.

Above all, the individuals or group of persons abusing the drugs should also help themselves. They ought to acknowledge the fact that, misuse of medicine such as self-medication, consumption of medicine without consulting a physician or an appropriate medical expert, and intake of over/under dose contrary to the doctor’s prescription, are all a death-trap that could kill anyone unannounced.

Also, those who take hard drugs or the ones the law forbids, which invariably lead to anxiety, panic, depression, brain fag or damage of brain cells, mental imbalance, protracted illnesses, death, and what have you, should note that the restrictions as mandated or stipulated by the governments or those in authority are solely for the sake of their well-being. More so, those involved in the illegal cultivation, production, or trafficking of the hard drugs ought to be aware that many have lost their precious lives in the process while many are presently rusting in jail.

It is true that most of these hard drugs are very useful raw-materials currently used in several industries to manufacture a quite number of worthwhile and remarkable products or finished goods; but the singular fact remains that, we’re not meant to consume them when they are still in their raw states.

There is also need for us to know that absolute decency is required while consuming those stimulants that are not forbidden by law such as snuff popularly known as ‘Utaba’, cigarette, cigar, whisky, dry gin otherwise referred to as ‘Kai-Kai’, et cetera. We are expected to comport ourselves in whatever actions we take, so that, our paramount desire of embracing a trouble-free and tranquil atmosphere would be duly actualized.


COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Owerri-based Public affairs analyst & Social activist

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+2348054719437