Rasheed Jimoh Ijaodola is a Professor of Law and Dean of Law,
Igbinedion University, Okada, whose voice on legal issues has become
one to reckon with considering his years of experience in the
profession. He speaks with our JUDICIARY CORRESPONDENT, KAYODE ADEOTI
on the prevailing xenophobic attack on Nigerians living in South
Africa among other sundry issues. Excerpts:
What is your take on the issue of xenophobic attack involving
Nigerians in South Africa?
It is very unfortunate, in Africa, we are one but it is like South
Africa and Nigeria have not come to that term. There shouldn’t be any
difference between South Africa and Nigeria considering the fact that
the world is a global village; one can live in any part of the world
provided one abides by the law that governs where one resides. What is
happening today to our people in South African is saddening, it is
unexpected and it is not good to human race. Before long, South Africa
must realise they have erred and retraced their steps. Thanks to the
Nigerian government who has taken some diplomatic moves to settle the
issue. I will not encourage any retaliatory move from Nigerians;
because it is easy to do that, we have South Africans too in our
midst. Our people leaving the place for Nigeria is not the way out,
our government must step up its game on diplomatic move to solve the
issue amicably. Ghanaians sent Nigerians packing in 1969, what Ghana
did then was wrong because most Nigerians of that time were born in
Gold Coast that later became Ghana under Kwame Nkrumah. Most of them
then were Ghanaians by birth, so, they could claim Ghana. Like
Rooneys, the father is a foreigner, the mother is from Ghana, and most
of those sent packing were actually Ghanaians. Also, that time,
constitutional democracy was not deep; the issue of going to court was
not part of our lives. If such should happen now, many people would go
to court.
How do you perceive the EFCC?
Generally, we should not bother ourselves much about what EFCC is
doing. If the commission is trying to investigate anything, we should
be able to defend ourselves. But something is wrong with the
operation; the commission makes too much noise over nothing. EFCC’s
action sometimes amount to much ado about nothing. We expect them to
expose their findings when they’ve been able to establish something
concrete against their suspects. The EFCC always rush to the press
which is not supposed to be so. Though, the work of EFCC is good for
our nation because of the fight against corruption that has eaten deep
into our system. If not for the commission, most of the corruption
cases we have heard of would not have been brought to national
limelight. Money laundering cases have been greatly exposed. A woman
was brought to court recently for allegedly collecting N23millions
from Col. Sambo Dasuki, the information may not be true but by then,
the woman will be able to tell the nation how she came about it. Our
roads are bad, our education is not also in the best state, and this
kind of money can be pumped into our education.
Despite court proscription on Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN),
members of this organisation still go about their activities; will you
say our government is fair in managing this issue?
In my own personal view, the Federal Government must have gotten
enough of information that warrants the continued detention of the
likes of the IMN leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and Col. Sambo Dasuki. In
action, our government has been fair to IMN. Investigations into their
matters are continuous. The Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB, who was
granted bail, where is he today? Our government needs lots of
information from IMN leader and Dasuki on issue that bothers on our
national security. There is likelihood that once they are released,
they may not be seen again. Government has reasons for its action and
I don’t think they should be questioned. For security purpose,
government may not come out to state reason(s) for their actions; the
IMN claimed they are Shiite, what is Shiite? They continue
perpetrating all manners of activities that doesn’t go well with the
culture and tenet of the land. It is not wrong as government to look
into the matter and try to put it under control. Religion is a
personal affairs, it is between man and God, it is wrong for someone
to now be using it to cause mayhem, create security challenges, it is
not expected of government to close eyes to that type of issue.
