Inspiring the future to loot - When criminality infiltrates the academia

by Eze Eluchie

Increasingly, the messages Nigerians are getting from their rulers include:
‘Steal or be damned!’
‘When stealing, make sure you do not steal peanuts. Go for the Bank vaults!’
‘If you steal well when offered a little opportunity, you are assured a bigger office to steal more!’
- we are encouraging a generation where fraud will not only be a national pastime, but probably be the national motto and mantra.


Every day, we are confronted with evidence of the institutionalization of crime, corruption and perfidy in our contraption. One day, it is the ‘State pardon’ accorded criminals who have not shown the slightest sign of remorse nor been relieved of the loot they amassed, the next it is the announcement of new rules that allow and celebrate looting of public funds.

Impunity: The Saint rules at INEC!

by Eze Eluchie

When I instituted legal action before the Federal High Court, in 2010 (Suit Number: FHC/L/CS/867/2010), challenging the legitimacy and constitutionality of the appointment of Mohammed Attahiru Jega (‘the Saint’) as Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), some commentators had not appreciated the need to ensure propriety, legality and adherence to laid down rules in the conduct of our national affairs.

As we proceed towards the 2015 general elections, our polity will soon begin to face the hefty price associated with founding entire political institutions on fraud.

My suit challenging The Saints appointment had been based on very clear provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the federal Republic which had provided in its Section 156(1){a} that whosoever is appointed as a member of the INEC Board, such as The Saint, had to have the qualities of a member of the Federal House of representatives. One of these qualities, as contained in Section 65(2){b} of the same Constitution, is membership of a political party!

Our toxic justice system.

by Eze Eluchie

As the Kenyan Supreme Court prepares to deliver its judgment today on the case challenging the victory of Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta during the elections held on 4^th March 2013 (barely 25 days ago), it gives all of us involved in the (in)justice delivery process in Nigeria one more opportunity to bow our heads in shame.

In our system, the 25 days that have gone past after elections will be used just for filing documents (mostly pieces of papers crafted to delay the entire process and ensure a blurred process).  Lengthy, and mostly irrelevant documentations; absence of judiciary staff from their posts, at times due to domestic squabbles in their homes and or paid vacations to exotic location of judicial officers; and other equally nonsensical reasons will ensure that such litigation drag on for eternity in our system. Till date, after over 700 days, there are yet some outstanding litigation in our system emanating from the 2011 general elections.