 Published
January 31st, 2011
Sir, you and members of your
executive council, the ministers in particular probably
heard of the recent invasion by some offenders who stormed a
High Court of Justice in an area of Anambra State, Nigeria.
Sir, as you know the court is one of the most sacred sites
among public institutions where ordinary people, and persons
of means go to in search of justice, protection or freedom.
In a society that deems itself as an emerging democracy ,
there is a deep , long and principled tradition of viewing
the judiciary and its courts as sacred grounds of judgment
which requires utmost protection at every second, minute,
and hour.
Yet, this court in question at a time when it was in session
would become adulterated by these invaders who picketed the
court grounds and openly removed case files , court
documents and even vandalized, as well as remove the
presiding judge’s personal and official effects as well as
other essentials.
Sir, it was also reported that the presiding judge’s panic
call to the police received no immediate response, and worst
of all, was the report that the invaders acted in the
presence of the police, and that the police let go one of
the invaders who had been held by a court staff.
Sir, you will agree that this is a disturbing trend as the
courthouse terror, violence or thievery frightens not just
the justices, judges and magistrates but the faith of the
people in the courts become almost erased.
Sir, this puts the country’s already shaky democracy on
delicate ground which is further compounded by the current
scary political atmosphere across various regions in the
nation.
Sir, you and your executive council must save the people
from this type of public barbarity, and you Sir should come
out publicly and for many very good reasons, personally
condemn these heinous acts and assure the protection of the
Court officials and documents. Please do this for God’s
sake.
Sir, you must push hard against all forms of judicial-laced
barbaric or evil inflicts on our young democracy. Doing this
head on, through loud voice and outcry will send words of
defeat against those that terrorize the courts. Also,
potential invaders of the courts will learn a hard lesson,
and outrageous acts from bad police officers will be
stifled.
Sir, while you have not openly and vigorously supported a
state police system which this writer and many others have
called for , it is time for you to use executive order to
put in place an exclusive body of court police and security
agents around the courts and those that serve in the
judiciary.
John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D , DABPS, FACFE, is a
Forensic/Clinical Psychologist and an Assistant Professor of
Psychology and Behavioral Science, North Campus, Broward
College, Coconut Creek, Florida.
joshodi@broward.edu
|
