Okiro, where are the case files?

With keen interest, I have watched the happenings in our polity since Nigeria returned to democratic rule. I have followed series of high profile cases with a view to documenting them for future generation. But one setback that has bedevilled almost all the cases is their inconclusiveness.

Many cases began with all the seriousness and dedication they deserved only to wither out after a while probably because some well connected individuals are involved or government deliberately looked elsewhere; buying time such that the public will lose interest.

One begins to wonder when cases such as the gruesome murder of Chiefs Bola Ige, Funsho Williams and others would be concluded. It is perturbing to learn that two successive governments cannot unravel these simple cases. Simple cases because the files must have pointed at some “culprits” who if sincerely quizzed and drilled would make useful confessions. Perhaps, the Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, is indirectly telling Nigerians that these cases are no go areas! On assumption of office as acting IG, Okiro vowed to bring to a logical conclusion, the murder cases of Chief Bola Ige and Engr. Funsho Williams within a short time, but reverse is now the case. Okiro has become economical with the truth. But he should realise that he owes Nigerians the duty to inform them from time to time about police latest findings on these matters. As it is, there is no difference between Mike Okiro and his predecessors who at a time looked serious and at another time became misguided tools in the hands of politicians.

A good reference was the recent outburst of the IG when he said he could die for President Yar’Adua and urged police officers to be ready to die for Yar’Adua too because the president has affected the Nigeria police for better.This is laughable. Yar’Adua is doing what he ought to have done. Police need not go cap in hand to get what they deserve because a stable and crime free country is the making of the police.

One other case that is gradually being swept under the carpet is the one involving Iyabo Obasanjo- Bello who was accused of impersonation as well as using her office as one- time commissioner in Ogun State to engage in personal business detrimental to the interests of the government she served. EFCC has kept mum on the matter such that Nigerians no longer know anything about the issue.

To be remembered too is the Olubunmi Etteh scandal. We have not heard anything again about it. Futhermore,we have not heard about the findings of the police about the allegation of corruption against the immediate Inspector General of Police, Mr Sunday Ehindero. Okiro could have applied esprit de corps in the case. Okiro should dust the case files and update the nation about these and many other cases.By so doing, we can repose a measure of confidence in the police.

As a matter of fact, the blame as I understand it, rests on the Nigerian press who in most cases tire out when a case is dragging. It is only fresh cases that merit their headlines and top stories. When cases break out fresh, both the print and electronic media fall over themselves in the bid to be relevant in the stream of events.

The aspect of not following up such cases needs consideration by the Nigerian press. The western press towers high in this regard in the sense that they would not give up mounting pressure on the government, police, judiciary and all other institutions concerned until matters of public concern are resolved.

Tola Osunnuga,
Dept. of Nigerian Languages & Lits.,
Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

For the attention of Gov Daniel

The recently inflated fees in all institutions of higher learning in Ogun State has become a source of great concern to all well-meaning Ogun State indigenes. It is unbelievable that the state from where the advocate of FREE EDUCATION, the Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo originated could charge the fees as published in the news media.

When the Nigerian Law School hiked its fees, almost every Nigerian opposed the hike on the basis that only the children of the affluent would be opportuned to attend the mandatory one year course and be called to bar while students of poor parents would never make it without being sponsored by the government or rich people.

What we now have in Ogun State is a far cry from what obtains in the Nigerian Law School . Students of poor parents will no longer attend tertiary institutions in the state. The most basic things that the ordinary citizens need from any government are education (free or subsidised) and healthcare services.

Ogun State is one of the states in Nigeria where the people embrace western education due to the foundation laid by the old Western Region. History will not forget any administration that rubbishes this foundation. A situation where only the children of the affluent will acquire higher education is unfortunate.

Let’s encourage every child in Ogun State ( no matter his/her background) to be formally educated so that we can live in peace tomorrow. Uneducated children will become thugs, miscreants, area boys, robbers etc that would later on in life destroy/maim the children of the affluent on whom there have been a lot of investments.

Otunba Daniel, please release money for the state education sector as it is done by Lagos State and many other states especially those in the Northern part of the country. In the north, education is free from elementary to the tertiary level.

Olu Emmanuel,
Ogun State Secretariat,
Oke-Ilewo,
Abeokuta.