The Kano Extrajudicial Decapitation

THE RECENT KANO EXTRAJUDICIAL DECAPITATION

     The last time I checked, recently, there was no day that passed in Nigeria that one didn’t hear of the emergence of a highly irrational and monstrous act in a particular part of the country. The gruesome decapitation of Mrs Bridget Agbaheme by suspected Islamic extremists on Thursday 2^nd June 2016 in the famous Kofar Wambai market, Kano State, North-West Nigeria over allegations that she blasphemed Prophet Muhammad wasn’t an exception.

     More pathetically and painfully, the victim who was of Igbo extraction, Mbaitolu LGA in Imo State precisely, was reportedly in the company of her beloved husband when she was brutally murdered in cold blood. It was gathered that the dastardly and inhumane behavior was occasioned by an argument bordering on religion that transpired between the deceased who sold plastics at the said local market and other traders in the market.

     Isn’t the untold incident synonymous with that of 1995 decapitation of one Mr Gideon Akaluka still in Kano State, also by Muslim fanatics who seemed to have acted under the directive of some jihadists? The late young trader – Mr Akaluka who was equally of Igbo origin, was arrested in the year in question after his purported wife allegedly used pages of the Holy Qur’an as toilet paper for her baby. Consequently, having been detained by the Police, a group of Muslim ‘fundamentalists’ broke into the police cell, decapitated him, and thereafter walked around the streets of Kano parading his beheaded head.

     Extrajudicial killing or treatment otherwise known as ‘Jungle juctice’, which is usually carried out either by a government agency or an angry mob, or sometimes by an individual, has been on the rampage in recent times in the contemporary Nigerian society in such a manner that it requires only a severe and drastic approach by the apt authorities toward its eradication.

     Extrajudicial treatment used to be a feature of politically repressive regimes, but lately even self-proclaimed or internationally recognized democracies have been known to use the measure under certain circumstances, thereby ostensibly signifying that even a democratic state isn’t a respecter of the law contrary to the general presumption. No matter how long extrajudicial punishment has been harboured or condoned by various concerned authorities, either in Nigeria or elsewhere, the truth of the matter remains that it is barbaric and illegal; hence, totally unacceptable.

      Even in a military government, there is a given procedure through which an accused person would be convicted of such crime or offence, let alone a democratic dispensation like ours where there are constitutionally instituted bodies that are statutorily in charge of judicial proceedings. For instance, when the aforesaid 1995 extrajudicial murder of Mr Gideon Akaluka took place, the then military Head of State in the person of Late Gen Sani Abacha frantically frowned over the anomaly, thereby leading to the immediate arrest and prolonged detention of the suspected jihadists who masterminded the evil act.

      This implies that the recent killing of Mrs Bridget Agbaheme or the lingering harbouring of all forms of extrajudicial treatments in the Nigerian society, isn’t just an insult to the government or the relevant constituted authorities but to say the least, an assault to the country’s criminal laws that are reckoned to be mightier than any person or group irrespective of the circumstance. This is why the President Mohammadu Buhari – led administration through the Interior Minister – Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau, coupled with the Kano State government, is required to act very fast towards ensuring that the perpetrators are duly brought to book headlong.

      Moreover, it’s more worrisome to note that someone whose case is in court may be brutally murdered by the aggrieved party or the plaintiff owing to a perceived delay in the court proceeding/hearing. One may wonder how an individual would courageously made up his/her mind to eliminate someone else over a certain dispute, even when the disagreement in question is being considered by a court of competent jurisdiction.

     Currently, the most alarming aspect of extrajudicial killing or punishment is the one being carried out by a group of civilians popularly referred to as ‘angry mob’. It’s often observed on the street, inside a motor park, or in a market arena, as the case may be, when one is merely accused of theft, pick-pocketing, rape, or any form of jungle crime. The mob often accomplish their mission by setting the suspect ablaze at the scene of the incident using fuel and condemned tyre, prior to the arrival of the concerned security personnel. The most awful part of the illogical act is that, an innocent citizen is mostly mistaken for the person who actually committed the crime. It’s note worthy that constitutionally, if a suspect is allegedly guilty of a certain crime or offence, he or she shall remain innocent till otherwise proven by any court of competent jurisdiction.

     Another pertinent fact we must acknowledge is that, sparing the life of a culprit would help to apprehend his/her accomplices. To this end, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in collaboration with the various civil society organizations is expected to thoroughly sensitize the general public on the enormous benefit of upholding the law as well as the evitable dangers inherent in taking the law into their hands. They ought to be meant to comprehend that no individual or group, under any circumstance, is above the law.

      Meanwhile, as much as I vehemently pray for quick recovery of President Buhari, all the concerned authorities must acknowledge that Nigerians and the world at large are longing to hear when justice would be done to the gruesome decapitation of Mrs Agbaheme. On their part, I urge the family of the deceased and Nigerians in general to remain law-abiding while we await the justice, because two wrongs do not make a right. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

 Twitter: @mediambassador            

      

Impact of FRCN's Radio Link on Nation-Building

IMPACT OF THE FRCN ‘RADIO LINK’ ON NATION BUILDING

        

       Apparently, the three basic departments or sections in any broadcasting firm, either radio or television, remain News, Programmes and Engineering. The news section is usually concerned with current affairs which could be local, national or international.

        On its part, the programmes department is involved in transmission of various programmes which could be educative, informative and/or entertaining, as the case may be. Whilst, the engineering section, which may not be directly felt by the audience or the general public but remains the backbone of any media outfit, is the section that deals with the technical aspect of the transmission.

         Though the news section required the most critical attention owing to its sensitive and delicate nature but it is noteworthy that, the programmes department if taken for granted, stands the chance of ruining the healthy state of the broadcasting company. This is the reason the role of the latter, which acts as a recipe in any radio or television station, cannot be overemphasized.

         In line with the quest of its teeming listeners as well as the acknowledgement of the fact that a good programme has the tendency of attracting millions of audience, the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) – the largest Radio Network in Africa instituted a programme tagged ‘Radio Link’ five years ago. Radio Link, a Radio Nigeria topical and audience participatory programme, which its debut was aired in January 2010, is an educative cum informative programme that is yet to have a rival in the entire Nigerian radio broadcasting industry.

         Radio Link, which is aired invariably between 8 to 10 a.m every Saturday, touches every area of human endeavour such as social, health, politics, economy, entertainment, arts and culture, infrastructure, governance, power supply, education, media, security, youth affairs, and what have you. The most fascinating aspect of the programme is that it has maintained a tradition of featuring esteemed personalities who have distinguished themselves in their respective field of endeavours as its guests.

        Due to its unique and overwhelming features, anyone who happens to be a regular listener or contributor to the programme would never afford to miss any of its editions irrespective of what the person in question is engaged with. This is why often times, Nigerians residing outside the country had endeavoured to contribute meaningfully to the programme.

         Several analysts as well as civil society activists are of the view that Radio Link has the tendency of restructuring and uplifting the socio-political and economic status of the Nigerian state, if sustained. Recently during a seminar organized by Docfred Continental Social Clinic – a Centre for counselling and career development based in Owerri, Imo State, one of the speakers in the event recognized Radio Link as ‘the Pathfinder of our time’; an accolade that was welcomed by all the informed minds present at the occasion.

         In view of the above remarks, it is needless to reiterate the fact that Radio Link has succeeded in awakening the socio-political consciousness of an average Nigerian, thereby increasing the rate of participation of most Nigerian citizens in electoral matters unlike before when on the average, a Nigerian youth pays less attention to issues affecting the Nigerian polity.

         Suffice it to say; the audience participatory programme – Radio Link, likewise other related ones aired on Radio Nigeria including Issues of the Moment, Police Diary, Bush House Nigeria, Politics Nationwide, among others, has contributed tremendously in nation building. Without mixing words, the remarkable impact of Radio Link on youth affairs and governance since its inception has helped to reshape the thinking faculty of most Nigerian politicians or prospective leaders as the case might be who were formally incautious in nature or in reasoning.

         Having noted the exemplary role of the renowned wave-making programme, there is a compelling need for any right thinking Nigerian who thinks good of this country to be concerned over its sustenance. Against this backdrop, I call on all the corporate organizations, both indigenous and foreign, operating in the country to in their individual capacities endeavour to sponsor the ongoing airing of the programme with a view that it has the potential of creating an enabling environment for their operations.

         In the same vein, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) ought to conscientize other broadcasting firms in Nigeria to ensure that they implement as well as maintain the airing of various edifying programmes like Radio Link at their respective stations.    

         No doubt, sustaining the topical and audience participatory programme – Radio Link, which has gained ground in the nation’s broadcasting industry, will not only assist in reawakening the Nigerian citizenry, but also help Radio Nigeria to actualize its reputable vision which remains ‘To be an impartial, credible, creative and digitized medium in the forefront of Nigeria’s national development, unity and progress’.

          Most importantly, it will help in proving to its fans across the African continent and beyond that its mission, which is ‘To create and maintain broadcast outfits that will serve as models in Nigeria and Africa at large in terms of standards, professionalism and character’, remains sacrosanct.

          Hence, the management and staff of the corporation (FRCN) should not in any way compromise the sustenance of this programme that speaks volumes globally, so that, the corporation will continue to uplift the people and unite the entire nation. Think about it!

 

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)

Public Affairs Analyst & Civil Rights Activist

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador   

         

Imo Without Substantive LG Chairmen

IMO WITHOUT SUBSTANTIVE LG CHAIRMEN

     The last time I checked, Imo State – the Eastern Heartland was still earnestly yearning to witness an era where the twenty-seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state would boast of substantive chairmen whom are expected to emerge via an electoral process. The unabated quest has made many to presume that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, no longer has provision for a Third Tier government otherwise known as ‘Local Government Council’.

     It’s noteworthy that the lingering anomaly has existed for nine years now ranging from 2007 till date. The immediate past governor of the state Chief Ikedi Ohakim came up with a façade that seemed like an LG election towards the end of his tenure in 2011. The present administration ably led by Owelle Rochas Okorocha, having understood the foul play displayed by the former governor, thought it wise to disengage the elected officers who happened to be the product of the said façade as soon as it assumed duty in 2011.

     Since Gov Okorocha’s reign as the Imo number-one citizen, little or none has been heard as regards LG election in the state. Once or twice in the past, the citizens learnt of an arrangement targeted at the awaited electoral process all to no avail, in spite of all the wails from various quarters. Rather than substantive/elected caucus, what Imolites have invariably been witnessing at the local government level is transition or caretaker administration whereby some certain individuals under the auspices of ‘Transition Committee’ would be empowered to be at the helm of affairs in the respective LGAs.

     We are not unaware of the dangers inherent in suchlike practice especially in a democratic system like ours. A transition-committee chairman or councilor, who can be disengaged or asked to leave at anytime, is no doubt surrounded with limitations. There’s certain limits to which he/she is bound to operate as long as his/her reign lasts. Such administrator is obviously acting directly in line with the directive of the governor who he sees as his boss; suffice it to say that he’s equally one of the aides of the governor.

     The Nigerian Constitution wasn’t daft when it considered creating a provision for the third tier government. This is the government that directly touches the lives of the electorate; it’s the government that understands the true need of the people. An LG chairman, through the elected councillors, hears the overall views of the electorate in regard to governance. Thus, the third tier government is an intermediary between the citizens and the state government.

     However, this piece was necessitated by the recent comment made by Gov Okorocha with regard to the long awaited LG election. Few weeks ago during a parley between the governor and Imo based journalists, the number-one citizen categorically revealed that he would only conduct election for the Local Government Councils if the legal barriers hindering the awaited polls are withdrawn by their sponsors or plaintiffs.

     According to the governor, some individuals in the state had filed suits against him over the local government administration in the state, thus he was of the view that it was unconstitutional or an insubordination to conduct an election regarding the LGAs with a view to upholding the Rule of Law which his administration had ‘vowed to protect’. He went further to state that it was pathetic that those who were sponsors of the aforesaid legal actions happened to be the people persuading him to conduct the election.

      If I’m bound to be objective in my analysis, I would state unequivocally that if the governor genuinely wishes to conduct the awaited polls, he’s required to take all the needed actions toward ensuring that the election is duly conducted. Needless to say; the above excuse ought not to be regarded as a tangible reason for the ongoing inconsequential delay. We must endeavour to call a spade a spade whenever we’re leading, for posterity sake.

     If truly there are existing legal barriers, I enjoin the amiable governor to create a harmony between him and the aggrieved minds. He ought to set up a platform that would bring every warring party together, therein let them know the reason they must withdraw the legal suits for the interest of the state at large. Since the suits in question were filed over LG election, the plaintiffs wouldn’t hesitate to withdraw them if given an obvious and genuine reason to do so, or if they are told that the polls would be conducted thereafter without further ado.

     As a Constitution and Civil Rights activist, I want to remind the governor that the people’s rights are being shortchanged, and that the Nigerian Constitution isn’t finding the atmosphere friendly; hence, the needful ought to be done headlong. Besides, the governor equally needs to acknowledge that suchlike loophole is liable to mess up all the commendable efforts he had recorded so far since the inception of the Rescue Mission Administration. We can’t afford to continue robbing Peter in order to pay Paul.

     Nine consecutive years without substantive or elected LG Chairmen is seriously telling on the state, just to say the least. Hence, we are henceforth expected to count our teeth with our tongues. Frankly, if I’m asked to tender a scorecard, I would say that Gov Rochas Okorocha’s administration is second to that of Late Dr Sam Mbakwe in the history of Imo State; but owing to this very lapse, I might be tempted to reserve my comment if asked to do so. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador