Revocation of Kalu's Bail: Before We Reach the Precipice… - ex Lawmaker

By: Hon Yahaya Magaji

Even as some people continue to ‘’re-package’’ their dislike for Chief Orji Uzor Kalu with their shameful acquiescence of any rule in the book including a questionable bail revocation court order; some unanticipated events, events never thought possible by the framers of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have continued to play out. The latest being what is now known as the Orji Uzor Kalu bail revocation issue. Nigerians have had to grapple with a plethora of confusing moments occasioned by the individual and collective conduct of Justice Mohammed Idris of the Lagos High Court and the Judiciary at large.

Misleading as it may be, it is still very tempting to be explored. It is playing out like a home video, where you have the protagonists and the antagonists. Nigerians are being treated to a whole lot of phantasmagoria, all in the name of democracy and the rule of law. It started in the most comic of ways.

First, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu was ordered to appear before the Court to plead his case despite his well documented Medical leave sought from the Court through his lawyer. The next is for the Judge to revoke the bail with an induced judgment from forces behind the scene that are bent to work all methods for their selfish and personal political interests.

But if you think the circle of alarming events would stop at that, it did not. The Judge went ahead to state that once the medical rest ordered by the Surgeon in Germany was concluded, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu should be arrested on his return to Nigeria if he did not show himself to the EFCC.

No one should forget in a hurry that not many gave our new democracy a chance considering the thought–process of Nigerians before 1999. Those who erected the foundations of our present day democracy from 1999 must be given some space in the Nigerian firmament. The essence of going through the law Court is not to be vindictive but to allow people present their case in fairness and equity. This becomes more important when the health of the individual may be in jeopardy if the directive of his Medical team is not carefully followed through.

We must not be a generation that sees everything done by a committed nation builder as wrong because he does not belong to the same religion or tribe with us. A culture of supporting and believing those who are working to institutionalize the gains of the current government and democracy is what Nigeria requires now. Most countries we think are better than Nigeria may not be after all. Simply the stakeholders adopt and cherish patriotism and see their political leaders as symbols of their identity thereby burying their differences and go for national interests.

Without mincing words, we are on the verge of creating a system that concludes judgment even before the facts of the matter are correctly analysed. We must note that everyone from the Executive, Legislative, Judiciary to the everyday Nigerian must be given fair hearing and enable them have faith in the legal system which the current judgment may erode if it is not quickly reversed. We must say No to unlawful court orders that are trying to heat up the polity. The task before us is to join hands and play our role within the proper application of the law to build a great nation.

Let this resonate within the hearts of those who truly believe in the future of our great nation. May posterity remember us for good.

Magaji is a Former House of Assembly member in Bauchi State