For authorizing the killing of four prisoners (Chima Ejiofor, Daniel Nsofor, Osarenmwinda Aiguokhan and Richard Igagu) whose appeal against a death sentence were still pending before a Court of law, the following persons have, technically and practically, clearly committed murder and ought to be prosecuted:
1. Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomole, who signed the Death Warrants.
2. Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Henry Idahagbon, who, as a lawyer, ought to know far better than he is portraying.
Also ought to be prosecuted, albeit for a lesser offense, on account of the fact that they were merely 'obeying orders that they might have believed to the legitimate, are 'The Hangman' who executed the dastardly act and others who participated in the process.
The only other time in Nigeria's checkered history when accused persons were killed during the pendency of legal processes to establish guilt was when the Sani Abacha regime hanged renowned writer and environmental rights activist, Ken Saro Wiwa.
This is really a most heinous crime as it portends grave consequences for the polity and it is really unfortunate that Nigeria's Constitution accords immunity from investigation and prosecution for a State Governor who acts in clear and gross violation of the Constitution.
If this unfortunate precedence is allowed to go without visiting due punishments on the 'high profile' culprits, the question becomes: 'will other political office holders ensure the 'execution' (or more appropriately murder) of opponents, at their sole discretion, irrespective of 'Stay of Executions' ordered by our Courts'?
When one factors into account the level of abuse to which our judicial system can be subjected to and the ease with which a fictional charge can be made to stick against indigent accused persons, the fact that our judicial system found sufficient reason to order a Stay of Execution in this matter, makes it more glaring that in deed a sinister act against good conscience and justice had been committed in Nigeria's Edo State with the murder of these four prisoners.
The matter is made far worse by the fact that these same political office holders are, in the course of their administration of State funds, engaged in more sinister criminal acts than whatever acts the now murdered prisoners could ever have perpetuated.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, must as a matter of urgency, commence immediate steps to bring the culprits to justice. Whereas the sitting Governor of Edo State can claim immunity from investigation and prosecution, the State Attorney general and Commissioner for Justice, Henry Idahagbon and others who collaborated in this sad episode, have no such immunity. Adams Oshiomole can be prosecuted whenever he steps out of office.
As you read, kindly observe a minute of silence in memory of these four unfortunate victims of State murder.
Our contraption now appears to be in free fall.
http://www.punchng.com/news/edo-executes-four-convicts-by-hanging/
Picture: Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomole
No comments:
Post a Comment