COLD CASE FILES

Those cases that were investigated to the point where it became obvious that the quest was leading nowhere and the records and evidence are put away until a future date. That is what obtains in civilized societies but in a corrupt society, presidential order could be received from above and all investigations in a case and packed and filed away at best or destroyed.  Advancements in technology, new leads on the investigations or amendments of certain laws that hitherto prevented further progress with the investigations could be the reason for re-opening cold cases.

Too many cold case files will be re-opened as Nigeria progresses on this long walk in democracy. It is essential that government office holders and politicians who have mismanaged resources of the land be intimated with the fact that a day will come when we shall see “a pharaoh who knows no Joseph.”

Growing up in Nigeria, we always heard squeals from certain quarters for the outgoing administration to be probed by the in-coming one. After securing the reins of power, there will be the finalistic declaration that “there will be no probe of the previous administration.” This contributed largely to Fela’s summation that Nigerian government is “arrange master.”

Another declaration we often heard a lot is “I met an empty treasury.” Apparently, the new administration is making a loud declaration that the previous one left nothing behind with which to run the in-coming administration.

The military leadership of retired Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and the late Gen. Tunde Idiagbon is the only one that has been bold enough to set up elaborate inquiry which many deride by labeling “kangaroo courts.” Without a doubt, the process and procedure of the probe was faulty and would have fared better had there been a little more transparency, equity and consideration for human rights; however it served the essential purpose of sending a very loud and clear message to office holders and corrupt politicians.

The impunity and arrogance displayed by these dishonorable citizens is very indecent. They have reached a level of decadence which makes them believe that they are “above the law” and they are entitled to whatever they loot from the national treasury. There are remunerations, allowances, emoluments and rights but there are also clearly defined boundaries which serve to prevent what is actually “abuse of office.”

It is very disrespectful as these people show a banditry approach towards the authority entrusted to them for the purpose of serving the nation and effectively manage its resources; it is very wrong for a poor civil servant who becomes a commissioner or a minister to acquire fleets of exotic cars which he could not afford before that time or to see him turn into a shipping magnate while holding office. We also see a man become a state governor and his sons and his brothers where who were lay-about before then, suddenly become oil moguls.

Much as they want to wish away their dishonorable conduct, this serves to remind them that cold case files can always be reopened for reviews even after half a century after crime has been committed and any one of them can be fingered because in truth, “no man should be above the law.”