Advice on fighting corruption

© Why do we chase shadows in this country?   Justice is the basis of a good society and, according to Dr Martin Luther King, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Tyranny in justice delivery defeats the sole target of justice. Justice must be grounded in the principle of proof beyond reasonable doubt, so that confidence is built in our legal system and to prevent the public from indulging in abuse, innuendoes, insinuations, libel and scandal.

For instance, the assumption that the receipt of N75 million by a lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, from Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti, which was funneled to him through a legitimate banking transaction, is criminal, has implications for a variety of other people likefood vendors, car dealers, airlines, hotels, boutiques, friends and associates, etc, who, in their efforts at rendering legitimate services, have received money from Governor Fayose.

Does this not sound absurd? Has it become a crime to receive money for services rendered to a person whom the court has not convicted of crime? Does this mean that the learned lawyer is being intimidated to back out in his legal representation of the governor?

And if we arrive at a level where fair hearing is frustrated through the intimidation of prospective legal defenders, then injustice of intimidation anywhere would have amounted to obvious threat to  justice everywhere because a fair trial is one in which the rules of evidence are honored, the accused has competent counsel, and the judge enforces the proper courtroom procedures where every assumption can be challenged.

Two wrongs cannot make a right. Lawlessness cannot correct or fight lawlessness.Even in the attempt to track alleged stolen funds, reason and caution  should be a principle so that justice is not just done, seen to be done but also transparent in the way it is served.

I advise security agencies to be cautious and purge itself of lack of rule of diligence in the discharge of their needed duties in ridding our society of corruption. Furthermore, in this biting economic recession, where an average Nigerian can’t afford a meal not to talk of the traditional three square meals, where government is trying to curb leakages and waste, security agencies must not open up conduit pipes by way of instituting or provoking court cases which cannot stand legal litmus test. Until we operate by the rules, our security agencies may fruitlessly continue to chase shadows of corruption leaving the images of this monster-corruption to thrive under political safe havens.

Akinola Iwilade, Oyo Town, Oyo State.