OUK's Lagos High Court Conviction: A Journey Still Far
Posted by FACTNEWS | 4 years ago | 1,258 times
By Prof. Victor Ukaogo
Earlier today, I had written pointedly on a platform that today's judgement in OUK's case will throw up surprises that may include a measure of pain. A few of my friends and colleagues called and asked me what I meant. I tersely held that I was uncomfortable with what l will call the news overdose on the social media few days ago on a certain party chieftain from the southwest eulogizing the qualities in OUK that makes him a good candidate to lead Nigeria out of the woods. I took that news with a large dose of salt because I knew inwardly that it portends danger. That very individual is himself not averse to salvaging Nigeria. He so very easily yielded such role to OUK and spoke with finesse on how the cap fits OUK more than any other folk.
I have no proof, just a mere hunch. Sadly, few hours later, the news of his conviction got round like wildfire. Without a proof, I couldn't locate a nexus between the two news items. It will therefore remain what it is - speculation!!
In the university community of Nsukka, the citadel of learning that honored OUK not too long ago was solemnly calm but agitated. The Distinguished Faculty Lecture Series that OUK kick-started was in third session today with Engineer Emeka Nwabueze, a good and great son of Ogidi as guest lecturer. It was while we were in the same hall that OUK held hundreds captive in his delivery that the news of his conviction filtered in.
Unease caught many that heard the news and further heightened the tension on campus. Another source of tension on campus was the ASUU-FG IPSSIS face-off . Will university teachers be without salary this festive period and will the students remain at home with the known out comes? These three pronged challenges agitated the campus community today.
I left the auditorium shortly after the news from Lagos came to my office. I sat fixedly, staring at my laptop thinking but this my forced quiet time was broken by calls, many calls indeed came in; all related to the celebrated case. On phone, we all reflected on the implications and interpretations of the judgement. Having taken time away from the hustle in the auditorium and retreated to the office, I had ample time to reflect well before the jarring shrills of the phone line.
Local media outlets in Nsukka and environs didn't make my afternoon any easier; all seeking to have a brief interview with me. I politely turned them down preferring a later date. The FRCN correspondent would not be cajoled to leave but choose to hang around till late in the evening. And against my will, I told him clearly that the judgement will not be the end.
I may be wrong but thus far OUK still has the right to appeal the judgement and can pursue it to the supreme Court. He could also obtain bail with possible stringent conditions. He might get all of this if there are no hidden hands stoking the fire of indictment. I also reasoned that 2023 is loading and permutations are rife of who wants what and at whose expense.
Truth be told, there must be some form of rivalries between political gladiators in the arena wishing to out do one another. Methink that something untoward is brewing but OUK has survived many battles and this very round of battles cannot be his golgatha or Waterloo. The subdued celebration in some quarters seem most uninformed. But like a cat with nine lives, OUK will surmount these obstacles that are mere temporary setbacks. Mark my words This is my opinion and I wish it to be so.
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