On the 6th September 2023, in full view of the entire world, the Election Tribunal(PEPT) staged a dance of shame in the name of judgement, in a country of over 200 million people. We watched our very respected learned gentlemen sitting, bold enough, after mortgaging their consciences against over 200 million citizens to pacify a political party and consolidate on the INEC abracadabra. And I ask; where is equity, fairness and justice in the Judiciary? Where is the transparency that represents the mirror of justice in our judicial system? Upon declaration of the results in February, 2023, the INEC Chairman shouted: “go to court” knowing fully well that the mechanism is already in place to consolidate on the illegality. And yesterday, our doubts were cleared that they are all parts of the same hypocrisy.
The Judiciary is supposed to be the last hope of the common man but instead the appellate court judges chose to become a terror to our political freedom, subjecting themselves to the highest level of mediocrity and leaving the common man hopeless and further threatened. What a pity! What a mess!! What a shame!!! It seems Nigeria is too big a country to be managed by these crop of politicians. What then is still stopping us from splitting it, at least to let the every region go their separate ways, to suffer their losses and enjoy their gains in like manner? One Nigeria indeed! A Kingdom in which we cannot live together but cannot live apart; a classical dilemma, between the head and the heart, according to Chris De Burgh.
Like pregnancy, the hopes of over 200 million Nigerians were dashed and carelessly aborted by the claimed expertise of some quack doctors of the Appellate court. The judges, by such dance of shame had affirmed that a referee has the right to change the goal post anytime he desires, and that criminality is rewarding. Many lessons learned from the Tribunal drama. By so doing, the Judge had set a very dangerous precedence that will hunt him and those who stand by him as long as they live. Through this dance of shame, he has made it clear that having two different certificates from same school, with different names, logos, e.t.c does not disqualify a candidate. He also made it clear that double nomination(contrary to Electoral Guideline) is not an offense. His stand suggests that having or been fined for drug related offenses anywhere does not matter, provided it is not intentional. We further learned from the judgement that what really matters is to win the election by any means, including changing figures in transit, or mutilating ballot papers, these does not count as an offense as long as INEC announces a winner. He furthered that INEC Press statements should be treated as mere words or disregarded and their procedures/guidelines should not be adhered to. Finally, he nailed it with the notion that the Constitution is just a mere piece of paper that can be twisted to suit any situation for predetermined judgements. We do solemnly hope they will remember these references/precedence in the near future especially as we await Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo State elections.
It is now far better and more prestigious to study Animal Science or Zoology in Nigeria than to study Law, because these set of judges have finally succeeded in devaluing the study and practice of law in Nigeria. The Legal study is no longer attractive to a sane mind aspiring to go into it. Shame to those who decided to mud the image and reputation of the Judiciary.
The good thing is that the Labour Party has officially and timely rejected the outcome of the script acting and plans next move, which is the Apex Court. The Labour Party going to the Supreme Court may not be expecting a different result from the charade that played out yesterday but to further expose the porousness and how deep corruption has eaten into the Judicial system. Yet, let us wait at the Supreme Court for the ultimate litmus test of justice, a stage where previous flaws and biases are expected to be rectified. Dear Friends, the Apex Court we all know, is the final arbiter of justice and so we should not be in a hurry to conclude on the compromise of the entire Judicial system. The script read out yesterday at the Tribunal does not reflect the final verdict or integrity of the Judiciary, only that of the Apex Court will either restore confidence or clear doubts. So, be patient and complete the circle.
In certain extreme situations, the law is made inadequate and in order to shame its inadequacy, the people act outside the law to pursue natural justice. With the atmosphere already charged, the lords at the peak of the Pinnacle should apply absolute professionalism in their discharge of duties to avoid setting a dangerous precedence. This miscarriage of justice should not be upheld by the Supreme Court if a sane nation is still desirable. Nigerians have already been stretched beyond the elastic limit and any slightest provocation may trigger a revolution. It usually happens at a time like this when justice has lost balance against the scale. The masses are suffering, angry and vulnerable at this trying times. Let the Judiciary not lead them into frustration that may birth another unpleasant experience like END SARS. It would be bad for our image and reputation as a nation.
The Judiciary should not become the architect of breakdown of law and order in this country. They should not be responsible for inconveniences of the suffering masses by championing the miscarriage of justice and banishment of peace from this already sick country. The drama of yesterday suggests that evidences in court are now worthless. It is a confirmation that Nigeria is now irredeemable, we have gone beyond redemption. No thanks to the judges at the Tribunal court. It leaves the nobility of our judiciary with big question marks, as it seems that integrity has been dumped in the thrash bin with gross impunity.
My lords at the Apex Court, please do not allow justice to be slaughtered on the altar of greed and personal interest. Anything contrary to fairness may leave Nigerians resigned to fate or rise to take back their country. And when that happens, everyone of us gets drenched by the unfortunate but avoidable rain. The world has witnessed the end of Democracy and suspension of the constitution in Nigeria, owing to the corrupt nature of some members of the Nigeria Judiciary. The judges had displayed their membership cards in the open. They finally made it clear to the world and the general public that Nigeria is a space without a constitution, only managed by a few in the ruling class.
With the current wave of corruption in the Judicial system, of what use is the study of law to the upcoming generations if at the end of a fruitful struggle, one political agent sitting up there as a judge will rubbish your efforts and labour for a token? They have murdered democratic process in Nigeria, deflowered it and left it pregnant without antenatal care.
The Judgement of 06/08/23 was a sham, a horrible display of the highest level of commitment to irresponsibility by the Judges. It is now official that these Judges are the problem of this country and so I see no reason the Judiciary will still remain an arm of goverment with independent status. They have made it look like the Judiciary now has a price tag. That simply confirms that we are not living in democracy but under the guise of democracy as justice had been denied, raped and abandoned. The same way INEC was bought, it looks like the judiciary has also been bought. That reminds me of the prophetic poet, Niyi Osundare’s; “my lord, where should I keep your bounty?” Political judges, where are your consciences?
Based on the Justices’ logic yesterday at PEPT that if you recklessly commit a crime, it is technically not a crime because it was not intentional. We are learning everyday and crime might be very common soon in Nigeria. Remember, a society which frowns at decency will definitely subscribe to mediocrity. Rest in peace Nigerian constitution and Democracy, Sept 6 2023 will remain ever fresh in our memories. May the Judges receive justice and punishment based on the judgement they have passed yesterday.
See you at the Supreme Court, and after then, we will place the Justice system where it needs to be.
From:
The Voice of the Spirits.
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