CURRENT ISSUES: Insecurity: Nigerian Security agencies not living up to expectation – Oniyide

Barrister Taiye Oniyide is a legal practitioner based in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. In this interview with our JUDICIARY CORRESPONDENT, KAYODE ADEOTI, he speaks on the prevailing ritual killings and the security challenge in the country among other issues. Excerpts:
The issue of police detaining suspect beyond 24 or 48 hours as stipulated law seems to be currently playing out in Nigeria, what can you say to this?
On this issue, lawyers believe that the law is an ass. This means that the law can be made to suite several purposes. The law is clear on the time frame a suspect can be detained, but the law also give rooms for exceptional cases especially when the police are not through with their investigations. What the law says is that within 24 or 48 hours, the police must charge the suspect to court. The beauty of it is that, the police can go to court to seek for extension of time in exceptional situations. It is on that basis I will agree that the police has done the right thing. No matter the gravity of the offence, an accused is presumed innocent, until the court proves it otherwise. Even in the case of the kingpin, Evans, he is still innocent though the nature of his alleged offence appears unusual to the layman. Even if the suspect confesses to the crime, the court must record him or her not guilty and allow the prosecution team to establish the case. For as long as that is the position of things, we are bound to follow it. Our society is guided by law and Nigeria is not a country that allows jungle justice. Law must still take its course. A suspect confessing before administrative authorities is not yet condemned as he/she must be condemned by the court of law. That is why some suspects charge government to court because they feel their fundamental human rights have been infringed upon.
On issue of ritual killings in our society especially in Ilorin, do you think that certain laws should be implemented to prevent it?
It is unfortunate that we have such prevailing in our society. In respect to what action can be taken particularly if there are laws that could be made, I can tell you affirmatively that we have more than enough laws to curb crimes. Establishing another law is not what we need, rather the execution of the existing laws, more efforts need to be put in place by the law enforcement agencies and the government. It is also unfortunate that it has extended to cultism. The institutions of higher learning have a role to play in this aspect too since cultism relates to students of higher institutions. The action has to start from within because a house that is divided against itself cannot stand.
With the current prevalence of clashes, killings, how will you rate our security operatives in Nigeria?
I will have to be personal about this, I’m not impressed. They have taken some positions which are questionable. You will see them taking action sometimes and you will applaud, and when it comes to another aspect, you see that it is a different ball game. One thing that has continued to puzzle me is the number of police officers deployed for elections exercise and the few numbers that attends to situation that has to do with human life, this is unfair and it is disturbing. Imagine the number deployed to Ekiti State during the last election. 30,000 force men, if we could have such number across the states where existence of lives being threatened, then we will rather be applauding the government functionaries. Personal self ambition has become the primary duty of our government. This doesn’t make me happy and I won’t rate our security agencies high.