Daily Independent (Lagos)
John Ukah
18 November 2008
opinion
An indubitable way that people get an impression of leadership is their daily experience with those in the corridors of power and not necessarily by any verbal rhetoric or claims.
Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher born prematurely in Wiltshire, England on 5 April, 1588. He gave a famous quotation describing life in the state of nature as war of every man against other man, "the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short."
This aptly describes the brutality and violent assault meted out to Miss Uzoma Okere recently on Muri Okunola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Her offence was that she did not quickly give way for the convoy of a Rear Admiral, identified as Harry Arogundade. Harry Arogundade is, arguably at least by virtue of his rank, a leader of men and women.
As ridiculous, bizarre and unbelievable as it sounds to any sane ear in a decent and sane society, Miss Okere was reportedly forcibly handcuffed, pummelled and left with bruises all over her body. She was brutalised with gun butts, horsewhip and violently (woman?) manhandled. She is currently still receiving treatment.
The Rear Admiral is quoted as saying that the lady should thank her stars that she survived the beating from his men. Witnesses to the incident who later protested were also allegedly beaten up by the ratings, on the instruction of their boss. Pray, someone please enlighten me if there are no Rear Admirals or the equivalent in the British, American and French armed forces, among others? How many people have been beaten to death in these civilised countries for not giving way to the convoy of a Rear Admiral?
The President has studiously maintained that he is a servant leader and his mantra has been that his government abides by the rule of law.
The latest update has it that the presidency is saddened by this ugly development and wants a report of the investigation of this violent assault from the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Paul Dike. This investigative task seems clear-cut with a video of the brutalisation available in the public domain for all to see. It is hoped that this atrocity would not end up being swept under the carpet while we wait for another probe panel report, whose sitting will last for several months. Nigerians have often been accused of having a short memory span and suffering complete amnesia when issues drag on for too long. The President has to get those big wheels of justice turning. They may grind slowly but we need to see them in motion at least. What better opportunity for the President to demonstrate his proclaimed love and adherence to the rule of law? Justice must be done and seen to be done in this case. Compensation must be paid to this young lady who has been seared by the flames of injustice, her inalienable rights violated, her dignity trampled upon and her being humiliated by the flames of power drunkenness. She must not be denied her rights on the altar of esprit de corps.
An injustice against one citizen is an injustice against all. It is Uzoma today; it may be Aisha tomorrow or Kemi the following day.
As I watched the humiliating assault on video, I was incensed beyond words at the ordeal especially when they tore off her blouse. What if the young woman had not been in an excellent state of health? She could have slumped and died.
It is disheartening that this barbaric act occurred in the very week that the entire world was basking in the euphoria of the possible emergence of an African-American as the President elect of the United States of America in the person of Barack Hussein Obama.
It was an epoch making event, a declaration that change had come to not just America but to the world, signalling the end of a long history of indignity, beatings, oppression and suppression.
But some people have refused to let go of the old world order. They are determined to ensure that the statues quo remains the same. It appeared as if those naval ratings had turned back the hands of the clock. It looked like a scene taken from the Hobbesian, primordial and primitive state of nature where might is right. The psyche of this young lady has been battered, staggered and shattered by this uncivilised act of brutality. The general outcry in the land is a reflection of the immortal words of Martin Luther King as he dreamt of a land of equality. We need to shake the foundations of such acts of oppression and "...we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." The president needs to wield that big stick of justice and rule of law for all to see. He must walk his talk and demonstrate that we live in an egalitarian and just society and not some barbaric, back of the wood jungle somewhere in Africa. We must say a resounding 'NO' to these forces of darkness and lawlessness. The nation cannot afford to continue to harbour lawless law enforcement agents.
On Friday, October 10, 2008 a young man was killed in Port-Harcourt by policemen for driving on the wrong side of traffic. This spate of killings and acts of brutality against the civil populace appears to have become a daily routine. The security operatives need to be more humane in their dealings with the civilian populace.
.John Ukah wrote in from Allen Avenue, Ikeja
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