In strong words, I condemn the decision of the Federal government of Nigeria through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation to withdraw the three-count terrorism charge brought against Alhaji Bello Bodejo by the Defence Intelligence Agency.
In the last few months, Bello was arrested on verified intelligence reports for being involved in aiding, sponsoring and managing the activities of terrorists who have been dastardly causing public disorder and threats to human lives in Nasarawa State and other parts of the Country.
On this note, he was charged and tried in the Nigeria Federal High Court division where his Lawyer’s initial application for bail was denied by the judge but surprisingly and without giving reasons, his trials were withdrawn by the Lateef Fagbemi led order as the Attorney General of the Federation.
This perturbed me as to why Bello’s charges would be easily withdrawn while lines of the Terrorism Act had been proved against him during his earlier trial testifying that he had a case to answer. Now, Godejo Bello’s charges have been withdrawn from prosecution while it is on public records how his intentional actions and involvement had aided and abetted killings and other forms of heinous crimes under the pretext of cattle grazing across Nigeria.
Was this not a sign of defaming the integrity of our new national anthem by either politically administering the letters of the law at the expense of others?
Within a few months, Senator Bola Tinubu was enthroned as the President of Nigeria, and plans were perfectly concluded for the release of Sunday Igboho whose charges weren’t different from that of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu but to date, Mazi Kanu is still held in DSS Custody against court orders to relocate him to Kuje Correctional facility of the Federal government. Then a day after Mr. President’s first anniversary in office, the Federal Ministry of Justice under the political head of Lateef Fagbemi withdrew terrorism charges against the leader of Miyetti Allah brotherhood, reasons unknown to the Law.
There is no habitational enclave in Nigeria that hasn’t experienced the terrible, marauding, unprovoked and coordinated attacks of Fulani Cattle breeders and no stringent lawful actions have been taken to confront these inhuman dealings. So, where is the sanctity of our newly re-introduced national anthem if the citizens cannot be fairly and equally treated?
Henceforth, this Country must take note that she planted the weeds that have been outgrowing her real crops in terms of working to promote and defend the tenets of civility, security and good governance.
In all, it is a mindful oppression of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his fundamental human rights for his continued captivity and solitary confinement in DSS custody against the lawful ethics in handling prosecutions. Our new national anthem is now our pride, Our new glory and a precedence for our children to copy but anything short of radicalizing the precepts of honesty in our dealings with fellow citizens as captured in the new anthem, we shouldn’t be expecting a different result from what has been on the rails.
Corruption remains the only socio-political stigma daggering the heart of Nigeria’s speed for excellence and economic loftiness and vigour.
Chief Dr. Emeka Kalu .
CEO, ECK Foundation .
