It should become abundantly clear by now that Civil Society
organisations committed to the entrenchment of the Rule of Law and the defence
of fundamental human rights must come together. This is not a new cry. They
must meet, debate, and embark on a binding pact of tactical responses whenever
these two pillars of civilized society are besieged by the demolition engines
of state security agencies.
The sporadic, uncoordinated responses as in the case of Omoyele
Sowore, the absence of a solid strategy, ready to be activated against any
threat — these continue to enable these agencies in their mission to enthrone a
pattern of conduct that openly scoffs at the role of the judiciary in national
life. Result? A steady entrenchment of the cult of impunity in the dealings of
state with the citizenry – both individuals and organizations. The level of
arrogance has crossed even the most permissive thresholds.
It is heart-warming to witness the determined efforts of
“Concerned Nigerians” in defence of these rights. Predictably, the ham-fisted response of the Directorate of State Security (DSS) continues to defy the
rulings of the court. The weaponry of lies having been exploded in their faces,
they resort to what else? Violence! Violence, including, as now reported, the
firing of live bullets. Why the desperation?
There answer is straightforward: the government never imagined
that the bail conditions for Sowore would ever be met. Even Sowore’s supporters
despaired. The bail test was clearly set to fail! It took a while for the
projection to be reversed, and it left the DSS floundering. That agency then
resorted to childish, cynical lies. It claimed that the ordered release was no
longer in their hands, but in Sowore’s end of the transfer. The lie being
exploded, what next? Bullets of course.
Such a development is not only callous and inhuman, but it is also criminal. It escalates an already untenable defiance by the state. As I
remarked from the onset, this is an act of government insecurity and paranoia
that merely defeats its real purpose.
And now – bullets? This is no longer comical. Perhaps it is
necessary to remind this government of precedents in other lands where, even
years after the event, those who trampled on established human rights that
generate homicidal impunity are called to account for abuse of power and crimes
against humanity.
The protests for Sowore’s release go beyond only acts of
solidarity, they are manifestations of the judgment and authority of courts of
law, under which this nation is supposedly governed. Either it is, or it isn’t.
The answer stares us all in the face. The principles that now fall under threat
implicate more than one individual under travail. They involve the very
entitlement of a nation to lay claim to membership of any democratic, humanized
union.
Enough of this charade, nothing more than a display of crude,
naked power. Release Omoyele Sowore and save us further embarrassment in the
regard of the world. An apology to the nation by the DSS and the judiciary
would also not be out of place. It would go some distance in redeeming the
image of an increasingly fascistic agency and reduce the swelling tide of
public disillusionment.
Let the rule of law reign. Failing that, have the honesty to
proclaim the death of ordered society. Then we’ll all know just where we stand.
Wole
SOYINKA
WS Foundation for the Humanities
Abeokuta, Ogun State
November 12, 2019
WS Foundation for the Humanities
Abeokuta, Ogun State
November 12, 2019
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