Pilot Law

CURRENT ISSUES: ‘Obasanjo’s letter to Buhari, condemnable’

 

The most recent letter written by former president Olusegun Obasanjo has been generating debate in the polity, so, Barrister Abdulhameed Muhammed lend his voice to the discourse and other matters that has been on the front burner of  trending issues in the country with our JUDICIARY CORRESPONDENT, KAYODE ADEOTI.
Excerpts:
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in a recent letter to the Buhari led administration, stated clearly that calamities may befall Nigeria if certain steps are not taken, how do you see this in respect of the series of arguments the letter has been generating?
I’m a Nigerian, whatever I say should be be in fairness. He was a president of Nigeria for two consecutive terms, he was also a head of state, Commander -in -Chief. So, such letter shouldn’t have come from him. What does it take Obasanjo to meet Buhari and offer constructive advice to him. The issue of insecurity is a painful one, and no one is happy about it, the rate of death is alarming and highly condemnable, but that doesn’t mean we should condemn the government, but instead encourage the institution to intensify effort in the right direction. The morale of government should be boosted at a time like this. Obasanjo being a retired military officer, should not have come out with such position, he should show more spirit of sportmanship, more understanding.
(Cuts in)…but, the letter has prompted the Senate to come up with plan for a summit on insecurity, will you say it’s bad in its entirety?
The letter is bad  because it was, about condemnation, there is nothing that stops anyone from making constructive criticisms and offer advice that benefit the system. Anyone in the society can offer advice especially on the menance of insecurity in Nigeria, this is one thing we need to join hands to fight, we can’t leave it for government alone.
How best do you think we can go about the issue of killings in Nigeria which over the years has continued unabated?
The government should look in the direction of diplomacy and cooperation with the neighbouring communities to fortify our borders, that is the loopholes, the areas through which these people are killing innocent citizens penetrates. The issue of killings is not restricted to this country alone, the genesis is related to the unfair corruption that has dehumanized the personality of some individuals. The government is not doing much in this regards. Our military personnel are on the road collecting bribes.
What is your take on the public demand for stiffer penalty on rape cases?
Legally speaking, we need to know that assault is different from rape, it is a lesser offence. The punishment for rape in the recent time has been lifted, some have prescribed life imprisonment, some, stiffer penalty, but we’re not doing much in terms of persecution, the government should really wake up, people saddled with the responsibility of prosecution should wake up; the office of the Attorney General both at the Federal and the state. The Police and other security agencies should sit up. They should come up with convincing strategies towards addressing the issue. Lack of prosecution is a bane that must be tackled, most cases die on the way before getting to reasonable conclusions. This is not an offence we can forgive and most times government withdraw from the case, most prosecutors compound the matter by keeping the files which is unfortunate.
What is your take on RUGA?
We all are guilty about this, those herdsmen are not the owners of the cattle, majority of them belong to politicians and the rich people in our country. What happened in the case of Oyo State where a former governor who owned a large cattle was a good example. He had to shoot to protect his ranch. Cattle rearing is not all about Fulanis. But the matter is simple, let the state that wish to go by the way of ruga to have it. Federal Government cannot do everything.

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