By Lucky Okoedion
Now that men appointed by the president have told us through their actions that there is no hope of getting justice through the Nigerian courts, hence it is okay to resort to self-help, what should we expect if the people of Edo also pick up arms and begin to take laws into their own hands prior, during and after the September 19 Gubernatorial elections? 
14 members-elect of the Edo House of Assembly had earlier gone to court to challenge what they described as a wrong proclamation and inauguration of the state Assembly. But probably due to impatience and lack of trust in the rule of law as it is practiced in Nigeria, while the matter is still in court, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami purportedly “advised” the members-elect who were in court, to take laws into their own hands, and inaugurate themselves, as claimed by one of the members-elect – Washington Osifoh during a live interview with Independent Radio and Television (ITV) in Benin City, on August 10, 2020.
In fear for our lives, we hereby call on The National Assembly, President Muhammadu Buhari and the International Community to help request that Abubakar Malami should explain to the world the basis on which he has begun to invite the good people of Edo state to lawlessness, anarchy and violence? We worry that now is too volatile a time in Edo State for someone like the Attorney General to be taking such actions.
This is on the premise that now that the Attorney General of our Federation, Nigeria, Abubakar Malami, who ought to be the custodian of the legal conscience and the rule of law in Nigeria has lost faith and hope in the judiciary, and by extension has lost faith in the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, he has thus deviated from his constitutional responsibilities to become a bad example and a promoter of anarchy. Will the common man now be foolish to seek redress in court for any perceived injustice, if the Attorney General of our Federation does not believe in the rule of law?
We all know that sometimes, the law can be slow in the process of providing justice, and we also know that many people have purportedly devised means by which to maneuver the law, to take advantage of lacunas and get away with wrongdoing. Yet the consensus remains that the only way for us to have a peaceful and democratic society is to remain loyal and obedient to the rule of law. The only sane thing remains to be law abiding. And the only civilized thing remains to trust the courts and the law to get us justice, irrespective of its perceived frailties.
Apart from the words of Washington Osifoh which claimed that the Attorney general of the federation advised the members-elect to resort to self-help, there are other news publications of actions by Abubakar Malami that also prove that he is obviously promoting lawlessness, anarchy, violence and bloodbath in Edo.
In a letter dated August 5, Malami said his intervention was to enable the lawmakers (whose case was still in court) to hold plenary within the House of Assembly complex.
“My office is in receipt of a letter dated 3rd August 2020 from Messrs West Idahosa & Co. requesting for the intervention of my office on behalf of its clients who are members-elect of the Edo State House of Assembly but who were excluded or prevented from being inaugurated till date since the House was inaugurated on 17th June 2019. A copy of the letter is attached for ease of reference.
“In view of the foregoing and in order to ensure constitutional compliance with the dictates of Sections 91 – 96 of the 1999 Constitution (as altered) and also to prevent the breakdown of peace, law and order, I’m requesting you kindly provide adequate security measures for the purpose of the inauguration of the concerned members and subsequent sittings in Edo State House of Assembly,” Malami’s letter read.
It is important for the world to take note of the role Malami has hereby played in promoting lawlessness and violence in Edo. We say lawlessness and violence because we do not have any other description for a situation in which the people are encouraged to take laws into their own hands and resort to self help.
This does not dispute the legitimacy of the perceived injustice being suffered by the said members-elect. It is about the fact that anarchy and lawlessness can never be an alternative.
Lucky Okoedion is a believer of a new Nigeria where true democracy and effective governance is practiced. He writes from Benin City. And can be reached on +2347038820118 .
