Foremost is the fact that the death
sentence decree in Malaysia and other similar nations who use it is not new in
such nations. As a matter of fact, the laws have caught up with both their
nationals and foreigners who have overstepped restricted boundaries. Therefore,
anyone who decides to do businesses regarded by these nations as
"taboos" does that with the potential repercussion in mind-death
sentence!
More so, why has it been Nigerians at the forefront of such crimes? Statistics about Nigerians languishing in foreign jails are startling. Their crimes range from impersonation, drug trafficking, money laundering, prostitution, 419, etc. The question is this; why has it been Nigerians at the forefront of crimes and corruption? Accepted, other countries have their own issues and criminal tendencies which manifest in diverse ways, but of what concern is that to me when my own house is on fire?! And that is why I do not see any sense and logic in President Jonathan championing the cause for military intervention in troubled Mali when he has not settled his own problems. Charity they say begins at home, and Mr. President cannot claim to love the people of Mali when that love of his has not been appreciated home here. It is better to put one's house in order first, and this is also a Biblical principle...but do they read it, even if they do, do they practice it?
Going back to Nigerians committing heinous crimes in other men's countries; we find that Mrs. Abike Dabiri is always asking the legislators and executives to intervene on behalf of the "Nigerian criminals" who saw fire and still went ahead to deep their legs in it. It is nothing but foolishness for a man to know that a country punishes certain crimes by death sentence, and then still goes ahead to commit such crimes. We may call it any name, for example, sin, but the fact remains it is sheer foolishness, and "every thought of foolishness is sin" the Bible says.
And coming home, we need to tell ourselves the truth. Charity begins at home we all know. Many of these Nigerians who have guts to go commit crimes in other countries started from home here in Nigeria. Many would have been caught only to be released by a corrupt security system; after all it is a matter of cash. Little wonder many Police Commissioners and their DPOs have potbellies.
Even when these suspects are taken to court, the Judiciary is a notorious partner in crime, abetting the release of these criminals. A typical example is Mr. James Ibori whom a Nigerian judge discharged and acquitted only for the whites to help us catch the big fish and big thief. Unfortunately, there are many of Ibori's cohorts walking freely on our streets. Or, how come the sons of Bamanga Tukur and Ahmodu Ali are leading subsidy scam suspects? Please, what has become of Otedola and Faruq today? I wrote the other time that it was a matter of time, the dust will gradual settle and the vicious cycle of stealing continues in increasing positive feedback mechanism.
It has been found that many of those who are re-arrested for crimes in Nigeria have previously been arrested and later freed under ambiguous and suspicious circumstances. This therefore confirms that the Judiciary is altogether corrupt and weak and our security system is a compromised entity serving the rich and influential few at the detriment of the poor majority.
Besides, in my opinion, the existing laws for crime punishment in Nigeria are weak and in insufficient. It's worrisome that there are yet no legislations that would exert heavy punishments on crimes like terrorism, kidnapping and militancy...and this forms the basis for recycling of criminals in the society. And by the time the society is pack-full of them, they spill over into other countries where they are caught and exterminated without mercy. Since death sentence is both unhealthy and "unholy", I think Life Imprisonment will do for such crimes as terrorism, human trafficking, drug trafficking, kidnapping, armed robbery, etc...and let me quickly add, with the eradication of all these politically masterminded amnesty. Looks harsh, but that could just be the beginning of the cleansing process for a country like Nigeria in dire need of restoration.
The next time you hear of a Nigerian caught as a thief in another country, remember that for every one thief caught over there, about two are waiting here to spill over into the same countries damning the consequences. Let charity begin at home.
Dr. Bukola Williams
www.drwilliamsbukola.blogspot.com
More so, why has it been Nigerians at the forefront of such crimes? Statistics about Nigerians languishing in foreign jails are startling. Their crimes range from impersonation, drug trafficking, money laundering, prostitution, 419, etc. The question is this; why has it been Nigerians at the forefront of crimes and corruption? Accepted, other countries have their own issues and criminal tendencies which manifest in diverse ways, but of what concern is that to me when my own house is on fire?! And that is why I do not see any sense and logic in President Jonathan championing the cause for military intervention in troubled Mali when he has not settled his own problems. Charity they say begins at home, and Mr. President cannot claim to love the people of Mali when that love of his has not been appreciated home here. It is better to put one's house in order first, and this is also a Biblical principle...but do they read it, even if they do, do they practice it?
Going back to Nigerians committing heinous crimes in other men's countries; we find that Mrs. Abike Dabiri is always asking the legislators and executives to intervene on behalf of the "Nigerian criminals" who saw fire and still went ahead to deep their legs in it. It is nothing but foolishness for a man to know that a country punishes certain crimes by death sentence, and then still goes ahead to commit such crimes. We may call it any name, for example, sin, but the fact remains it is sheer foolishness, and "every thought of foolishness is sin" the Bible says.
And coming home, we need to tell ourselves the truth. Charity begins at home we all know. Many of these Nigerians who have guts to go commit crimes in other countries started from home here in Nigeria. Many would have been caught only to be released by a corrupt security system; after all it is a matter of cash. Little wonder many Police Commissioners and their DPOs have potbellies.
Even when these suspects are taken to court, the Judiciary is a notorious partner in crime, abetting the release of these criminals. A typical example is Mr. James Ibori whom a Nigerian judge discharged and acquitted only for the whites to help us catch the big fish and big thief. Unfortunately, there are many of Ibori's cohorts walking freely on our streets. Or, how come the sons of Bamanga Tukur and Ahmodu Ali are leading subsidy scam suspects? Please, what has become of Otedola and Faruq today? I wrote the other time that it was a matter of time, the dust will gradual settle and the vicious cycle of stealing continues in increasing positive feedback mechanism.
It has been found that many of those who are re-arrested for crimes in Nigeria have previously been arrested and later freed under ambiguous and suspicious circumstances. This therefore confirms that the Judiciary is altogether corrupt and weak and our security system is a compromised entity serving the rich and influential few at the detriment of the poor majority.
Besides, in my opinion, the existing laws for crime punishment in Nigeria are weak and in insufficient. It's worrisome that there are yet no legislations that would exert heavy punishments on crimes like terrorism, kidnapping and militancy...and this forms the basis for recycling of criminals in the society. And by the time the society is pack-full of them, they spill over into other countries where they are caught and exterminated without mercy. Since death sentence is both unhealthy and "unholy", I think Life Imprisonment will do for such crimes as terrorism, human trafficking, drug trafficking, kidnapping, armed robbery, etc...and let me quickly add, with the eradication of all these politically masterminded amnesty. Looks harsh, but that could just be the beginning of the cleansing process for a country like Nigeria in dire need of restoration.
The next time you hear of a Nigerian caught as a thief in another country, remember that for every one thief caught over there, about two are waiting here to spill over into the same countries damning the consequences. Let charity begin at home.
Dr. Bukola Williams
www.drwilliamsbukola.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment