It is no longer news, at least to Lagos residents that a certain Miss Uzoma Okereke was brutalized along Muri Okunola Street, in Victoria Island recently by heavily armed security details of one Rear-Admiral Femi Arogundade for no offence known to Nigerian Law except obstructing the convoy of "His Excellency" Rear Admiral Femi Arogundade.It is also no longer news that the Governor of Lagos State has apologized to the brutalized young woman (is it on behalf of the Nigerian State that has produced monsters in uniform such as Femi Arogundade) for the bestial conduct of the said Naval Chief whose aides not satisfied with giving the young woman the beating of her life removed her top clothing in public glare in what must pass as an award winning act of man's inhumanity to man. All these acts from the real-life "theatre of the absurd" were fortuitously captured on-camera Rodney king-style and are making the rounds in Lagos in form of un-censored and un-edited Home Video. But while the home of Rodney King has moved on to elect the first Black President (which is not to say racially inspired Police brutality has completely disappeared in the US or will altogether disappear under President Obama), Nigeria's unique contribution to global event almost years after the Rodney King Incident is to re-enact the event with greater crudity on an hapless young woman.
Well, as said earlier Lagos State Governor has apologized to the unfortunate victim and has passed on the matter to the State's solicitor-general to look closely into the matter for further and necessary action. Governor Fashola has also promised to pick up Miss Okereke's legal and medical bills in addition to making representation to the Federal Government on the issue. By these acts Lagos State has shown once again, that it remains without any dispute the nation's centre of excellence. Well done Governor Fashola SAN,
Eko oni baje o.
Well, as said earlier Lagos State Governor has apologized to the unfortunate victim and has passed on the matter to the State's solicitor-general to look closely into the matter for further and necessary action. Governor Fashola has also promised to pick up Miss Okereke's legal and medical bills in addition to making representation to the Federal Government on the issue. By these acts Lagos State has shown once again, that it remains without any dispute the nation's centre of excellence. Well done Governor Fashola SAN,
Eko oni baje o.
In spite of the media focus on the issue, it is a matter of great shame and disappointment that the nation's civil society and human right groups have maintained a deafening silence to this brazen violation of a citizen's rights. Is it because there is no political mileage to be derived from the incident, as neither the violator nor the violated are of any political persuasion, so no PDP vs. opposite party Scenario is possible? Or is it because the victim is female, after all Nigeria still remains a traditional Patriarchal society that pays at best lip service to the right of the woman or girl-child?
It is instructive to note that this is the second celebrated instance in recent time of the brutalization of the female folk by a public officer. About a year ago a lady on her way to church on the Lagos Island was traumatized by the security details of the Imo State Governor, Chief Bcedi Ohakim. It does appear however that the extent of brutalization was very mild compared to the most recent incident presumably because all those involved in the earlier incident the Governor, his police and SSS details and the helpless lady and her two children, were by Nigerian military lexicon "bloody civilians". Even then, there were half hearted comments from only a handful of human right crusaders.
With the manifest apathy that human rights group have once again displayed to the brutalization of citizen Uzoma Okereke, the cynical view that is gaining ground among a cross-section of the Nigerian populace, is that apart from Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAM, SAN and a few others, the rank and file of the human rights community is peopled, by opportunists, political jobbers, media con-men and people seeking relevance, for public recognition to pursue a self-seeking and parochial agenda. It is unimaginable that were it not for Chief Fawehinmi's present health challenge, he would not have pursued Miss Okereke's claim at his own personal cost. His temporary absence from the scene what we have is selective, politics inspired human right crusade which some have aptly termed "money rights".
A TALE OF TWO ELECTIONS
While 150 million Americans voted in the-American elections and the results were released and adopted by both winner and loser within 24 hours it took 19 months for the election dispute in Edo State involving less than 2 million voters to be resolved even then only with the help of the judiciary. No situation better illustrates the difference between the American and Nigerian electoral system. Even as we speak the Nigerian presidential elections that took place in April 2007 is yet to be resolved 19 months after the event and when it is, only by the (Supreme) Court. Thus, our electoral system is completely dependent on the courts, which though appears very good for the image of the judiciary, makes nonsense of our ability and readiness to practice a system of government where the voter (electorate) is King (and not the court, with all due respect to its constitutional supervisory role). We ain't started democracy yet- apologies to Americans.
It is instructive to note that this is the second celebrated instance in recent time of the brutalization of the female folk by a public officer. About a year ago a lady on her way to church on the Lagos Island was traumatized by the security details of the Imo State Governor, Chief Bcedi Ohakim. It does appear however that the extent of brutalization was very mild compared to the most recent incident presumably because all those involved in the earlier incident the Governor, his police and SSS details and the helpless lady and her two children, were by Nigerian military lexicon "bloody civilians". Even then, there were half hearted comments from only a handful of human right crusaders.
With the manifest apathy that human rights group have once again displayed to the brutalization of citizen Uzoma Okereke, the cynical view that is gaining ground among a cross-section of the Nigerian populace, is that apart from Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAM, SAN and a few others, the rank and file of the human rights community is peopled, by opportunists, political jobbers, media con-men and people seeking relevance, for public recognition to pursue a self-seeking and parochial agenda. It is unimaginable that were it not for Chief Fawehinmi's present health challenge, he would not have pursued Miss Okereke's claim at his own personal cost. His temporary absence from the scene what we have is selective, politics inspired human right crusade which some have aptly termed "money rights".
A TALE OF TWO ELECTIONS
While 150 million Americans voted in the-American elections and the results were released and adopted by both winner and loser within 24 hours it took 19 months for the election dispute in Edo State involving less than 2 million voters to be resolved even then only with the help of the judiciary. No situation better illustrates the difference between the American and Nigerian electoral system. Even as we speak the Nigerian presidential elections that took place in April 2007 is yet to be resolved 19 months after the event and when it is, only by the (Supreme) Court. Thus, our electoral system is completely dependent on the courts, which though appears very good for the image of the judiciary, makes nonsense of our ability and readiness to practice a system of government where the voter (electorate) is King (and not the court, with all due respect to its constitutional supervisory role). We ain't started democracy yet- apologies to Americans.
