Saka Abimbola Isau is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) based in Ilorin, Kwara State. He was onetime Kwara State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice as well as former Secretary to the State Government (SSG). In this telephone interview, he speaks with ACTING EDITOR, MUMINI ABDULKAREEM on the need for the Kwara State Government to look beyond its Panel of Inquiry set up in response to the EndSARS agitation in the state. Excerpts:
The Kwara State Government has come up with a number of measures including the establishment of the N500m interest free loan for owners of looted businesses. What are other measures you think can be exploited?
I think the solution to this problem which will reduced it and curtail it from happening in the future is to address youth unemployment in the state. Furthermore, there is the need for the federal and state government to exploit and think of a kind of synergy, collaborate and work out the plan on this to gainfully employ the youths that are roaming the street now. Secondly, the issue of the ongoing strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the federal government is taking too long a time to resolve. They ought to have found a common ground by now and resolved the matter. The issue has dragged on now for more than a year leaving the students at home doing nothing without going back to their various schools. Many people are of the opinion that the situation would have been different if the students were in school. This is very important. Thirdly, the prices of goods and commodities in the market have gone so exorbitant. There is need to bring things down. Getting standard three square meals is now difficult for the so called rich and well to do people in the society not to talk of the masses. People are really suffering and the government needs to address the issue of skyrocketing prices of items especially those that relates to foods. There is hunger in the land.
The Governor has also inaugurated a panel of inquiry to look into the matter with a view to address complaints emanating from affected victims and people that have lost properties and even lives. What is your reaction to this?
Setting up judicial commission of inquiry is needed and other measures that the government have taken are needed; there is no doubt about that. Such steps will definitely take care and address the issue of those that have been found to have committed offences or partake in any wrong during the looting and punishment meted out to them. But while I very much believe in justice and I am not saying those who have been arrested and found culpable should not be taken to the courts, but that is however not the solution to our problem or the issue on ground. It is beyond all these measures even if they are also good.
During the EndSARS, we witnessed a flurry of jailbreaks across the country and looting of several armouries which has now put ammunition in the hands of people suspected criminals. What is your reaction to this?
Well, this is a very serious issue. The citizens as you know are now living in fear of the unknown since the incident. Many of those who escaped and yet to be arrested have even gone back to crime to tell you the seriousness of the issue. I think what the government can do in this circumstance is that there are ways the Inspector General of Police can command Commissioners of Police across the country to direct anybody who is in possession of any of these ammunitions illegally to submit them within a time frame. They can be given say two weeks or a month to do that. I am confident that people will comply as regards to this because they know and understand the consequences of not adhering to the government’s directive. Through this, many of these ammunitions will be mopped up.
What is your message now especially to the youths in Kwara?
The youths across the state should be calm. Those who are in school should face their studies and those at home should also stay out of trouble. For those who are applicants, they should be prayerful and be rest assured that at the end of the day, violence will do nobody any good.
