by OLUWAROTIMI O AKEREDOLU ESQ, SAN
The news of the murder of yet another aide of the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, coming shortly after the tragic accident which involved his convoy in which three journalists died some days ago, is shocking indeed. The deceased, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, was the Private Secretary to the Governor until he was murdered in his residence on the 4th May, 2012 by unknown gunmen in a manner reminiscent of the days of the “do-or-die” politics in the country. It is deplorable to observe that our brand of democracy seeks to kill its best material to settle political or personal scores.
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Many eminent citizens have spoken to condemn this barbaric act unequivocally. I want to join other well-meaning Nigerians not only in deprecating this vile expression of bestial propensity by those who regard politics as a tool for the subjugation and elimination of their fellow beings, but also to forewarn members of the political class whose criminal activities have set in motion a chain of events the end of which foretells grim consequences.
Many eminent citizens have spoken to condemn this barbaric act unequivocally. I want to join other well-meaning Nigerians not only in deprecating this vile expression of bestial propensity by those who regard politics as a tool for the subjugation and elimination of their fellow beings, but also to forewarn members of the political class whose criminal activities have set in motion a chain of events the end of which foretells grim consequences.
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The spate of state-sponsored assassinations was unsettling during the tenure of General Olusegun Obasanjo as civilian Head of State. it was during his term that the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Chief Bola Ige, SAN, was murdered in his bedroom. Beyond the tragic histrionics dubbed state trial of suspects nobody was convicted. There were other high profile murders such as the brutal elimination of Harry Marshall by assailants who seemed to have all the time to perpetrate the heinous crime before the arrival of the police. Dikibo also followed the way of all flesh. Funsho Williams, a man adjudged by even members of the opposition parties as exhibiting the quintessence of an Omoluabi attitude on all issues, met his gruesome end in the hands of yet-to-be identified felons. Otunba Dipo Dina was cut down in a most wicked manner by unknown gunmen whose identities still remain a mystery. There have been other acts of bestiality visited on Nigerians by criminal elements and the refrain from our security agencies have always been that the perpetrators of the dastardly acts will be brought to book.
The spate of state-sponsored assassinations was unsettling during the tenure of General Olusegun Obasanjo as civilian Head of State. it was during his term that the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Chief Bola Ige, SAN, was murdered in his bedroom. Beyond the tragic histrionics dubbed state trial of suspects nobody was convicted. There were other high profile murders such as the brutal elimination of Harry Marshall by assailants who seemed to have all the time to perpetrate the heinous crime before the arrival of the police. Dikibo also followed the way of all flesh. Funsho Williams, a man adjudged by even members of the opposition parties as exhibiting the quintessence of an Omoluabi attitude on all issues, met his gruesome end in the hands of yet-to-be identified felons. Otunba Dipo Dina was cut down in a most wicked manner by unknown gunmen whose identities still remain a mystery. There have been other acts of bestiality visited on Nigerians by criminal elements and the refrain from our security agencies have always been that the perpetrators of the dastardly acts will be brought to book.
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As things are in the country today, almost every Nigerian believes that this much vaunted metaphoric book has become too voluminous by virtue of the incessant inclusion of fresh cases showcasing the dark sides of human beings. Nobody puts hope in our criminal justice system. If the security agencies have failed to resolve several murders which preceded this latest felonious act, why should anyone expect anything different this time around? Criminals get more emboldened at every successful strike at the underbelly of the society by social deviants.
As things are in the country today, almost every Nigerian believes that this much vaunted metaphoric book has become too voluminous by virtue of the incessant inclusion of fresh cases showcasing the dark sides of human beings. Nobody puts hope in our criminal justice system. If the security agencies have failed to resolve several murders which preceded this latest felonious act, why should anyone expect anything different this time around? Criminals get more emboldened at every successful strike at the underbelly of the society by social deviants.
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This is the point at which Nigerians must rise up to demand governance from the current rulers at all levels. We must not allow the investigation of this crime to tread the path of the others. The perpetrators of this crime must be identified and punished if the confidence of our people in the polity is to be restored. We demand a thorough investigation into what appeared as an assassination plot disguised as accident a few days ago. In addition, those responsible for this latest assault on our collective psyche as human beings must be fished out and punished.
This is the point at which Nigerians must rise up to demand governance from the current rulers at all levels. We must not allow the investigation of this crime to tread the path of the others. The perpetrators of this crime must be identified and punished if the confidence of our people in the polity is to be restored. We demand a thorough investigation into what appeared as an assassination plot disguised as accident a few days ago. In addition, those responsible for this latest assault on our collective psyche as human beings must be fished out and punished.
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I seize this opportunity to commiserate with the family of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde cut down gruesomely in his prime. My heart –felt condolences go to the Comrade Governor who has been at the receiving end of this morbid onslaught. The evil doers behind these deeds want to cow him to submission. He must remain strong so as not to allow the seeds of evil to flower. All good people should rally round this man who has shown a steely resolve to confront the unscrupulous elements in the state since he assumed office as the Governor. The enemies want to intimidate him through this constant harassment. He must employ all means to stave off their diabolical advances.
I seize this opportunity to commiserate with the family of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde cut down gruesomely in his prime. My heart –felt condolences go to the Comrade Governor who has been at the receiving end of this morbid onslaught. The evil doers behind these deeds want to cow him to submission. He must remain strong so as not to allow the seeds of evil to flower. All good people should rally round this man who has shown a steely resolve to confront the unscrupulous elements in the state since he assumed office as the Governor. The enemies want to intimidate him through this constant harassment. He must employ all means to stave off their diabolical advances.
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OLUWAROTIMI O AKEREDOLU ESQ, SAN
OLUWAROTIMI O AKEREDOLU ESQ, SAN
