Tunde Ajibulu
RATS are rodents and the most notorious in Nigeria is the Rattus Rattus
(black rats). These rats are capable of producing as many as 2000 litters in
a year. Rats operate from holes, nooks, and crannies, scavenging, causing
havoc and spreading diseases. An adult rat can squeeze into your home
through a hole the size of a coin and inflict maximum damage with their
tenacity, doggedness and strong teeth which can chew through anything.
Rats are pestilent and humans have been trying to exterminate them for
centuries and still haven’t succeeded yet. Rats anyway are a threat to man
everywhere.
There are different types of rats that pose great threats to Nigeria’s socio-
economic and political progress.. There are the famous wharf rats that in
sync with some bad eggs in the NCS cause the disappearance of fenders,
headlamps, even cars, other goods and whole containers without a trace. But
recently, we discovered a very new virulent specie of rat - ‘budget rats’ buried
deep in the structure of the Civil Service bureaucracy.
Caution and vigilance
We saw their destructive capacities firsthand that is how they almost
brought President Muhammadu Buhari to his knees leaving him apologetic to
Nigerians and exhibiting immense caution and vigilance in matters pertaining
to the 2016 budget. This species of rat was gnawing at the impeccable
credentials of President Buhari, the heart of the Change agenda and the
various programmes that President Buhari embedded in the budget to
execute the Change agenda for the maximum benefit of Nigerians.
We also have another new species of rat that wants us to believe the
Presidency is the Marionettist, Danladi Umar, the marionette, and Nigerians
are the paying spectators in the Code of Conduct Tribunal theatre. I refuse to
believe President Buhari has a hand in this parody, comedy or farce that we
are currently witnessing at the tribunal….if he did he would be more
dexterous and would not involve a marionette like Mr. Danladi Umar who is
wont to crack under pressure. As a retired soldier, President Buhari
(something I can very much relate to) understands the essence of stoicism,
impartiality and gravitas and we all know our President who is generally
perceived as being Spartan and serious minded is neither a joker nor a fan of
comedies.
One cannot help but be astounded and bewildered at the ongoing soap opera
in form of the trial of the Senate President Bukola Saraki at the CCT. Whilst
not denying relationship with the man, my observations are simply apolitical
and objective. What democracy entails and what Nigerians yearn for is
equality, fair treatment and justice before the law irrespective of social
status. But what transpired at the CCT on Wednesday April 20, 2016 was
most unfortunate. I came across a video clip of Mr. Umar in a needless
confrontation in court with a very polite and civil defense lawyer. We all saw
how Professor Jega handled a worse situation with calm, maturity, dignity
and gravitas… all of which Mr. Umar has sadly not displayed at all. This and
recent events prove beyond reasonable doubt that rats are at work again
orchestrating events in Bukola Saraki’s case at the CCT. Undeniably, Sen.
Saraki is standing trial based on accusations against him, however, like any
other citizen he has rights or he is entitled to equal protection of the law
without any discrimination, full equality to a fair and public hearing by an
independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and
obligations and of any criminal charge against him, the right to be presumed
innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has
had all the guarantees necessary for his defense and also to seek and
implement legal advice that would enhance his case .
So why should an officer of the judiciary with a bribery case dangling over
his head preside over any case? Accepting inducements to subvert justice is
the most heinous crime any official in the judiciary can commit…the very
earth screams and recoils from such a base act. I posit to the National
Judicial Council that any judge or judiciary official involved in a bribery case
with evidence to the fact should be barred from handling cases until
convicted or exonerated or is it that the rats have also reached the NJC?
Despite a recent affirmation of clearance by EFCC, Mr. Umar statement’s to
the EFCC, Zenith bank cheque to his PA, Investigation report, summary of
investigation, letter by other judges, letter by the SGF on his case, draft
charges against him in a federal high court etc are being circulated on the
print and electronic media, does this not raise questions about the
propriety of his continued supritendence over this case? Aren’t judges meant
to be neutral and objective and meant to excuse themselves from cases
where their integrity and competency is in doubt?
I am not saying Saraki should be freed, Sen. Saraki is fighting the political
battle of his life against a legion of traducers both just and unjust, his career
and future is on the line. He has a right to seek and to get an impartial judge
which is only fair, given what is at stake. Are there no other judges on the
CCT that can try this case? Why is it so personal to Mr. Umar ?
Dangerous strain of rats
Why is Mr. Umar so emotional about this case? I heard the CCT is under the
jurisdiction of the Presidency, is this appropriate? Have these rats not
tunnelled in to the CCT supervising office in the Presidency? The whole
scenario seems to smack and smell of the activities of this dangerous strain
of rats that are gnawing at Nigeria’s soul. But No matter how big or deadly a
rat is it is always the eagle’s prey and it would be a great travesty if the
EFCC eagle is being intimidated by rats. We should be aware that the law is
the law “actore non probante reus absolvitur”.
This is why it is imperative that the CCT and CCB should be transferred to the
judiciary where it should be to guarantee its independence and the safe
administration of justice for all Nigerian irespective of socio- political status
and affiliation.
Mr. President’s folklore tells us about a a certain specie of rat that nibbles on
feet of a sleeping human at the same time blowing soothing air on the feet
causing the human to blissfully sleep on….your excellency you are
surrounded by rats which don’t mean well for you. They don’t share your
love for the common man, your passion for equity in the distribution of our
natural resources, your vision for a better corrupt free Nigeria.
These faceless vicious rats seek to undermine you every step of the way…
they will gnaw away at your feet while blowing soothing air. Sir beware!!!they
surround you!! be vigilant and spare nothing in the extermination of this new
specie of vicious, cunning, virulent rats!!you are our hero and the hopes and
aspirations of 180,000,000 Nigerians rest on your shoulders an unfair and
uneasy burden but we shall continue to pray that the Almighty God gives you
the strength, disernment and wisdom build a solid foundation for our
potentially great nation amen.

Hmmm oh, deris God!