Al-Mustapha: Why Jonathan should intervene
Why should the Yoruba, therefore, oppose state pardon for any other Nigerian who is not one of their own? If they do so, it is sheer hypocrisy. In fact, the same June 12 forces that are making a state pardon for Al-Mustapha impossible were themselves beneficiaries of mercy. Thanks to General Abdulsalami’s magnanimity, they would […]
Why should the Yoruba, therefore, oppose state pardon for any other Nigerian who is not one of their own? If they do so, it is sheer hypocrisy. In fact, the same June 12 forces that are making a state pardon for Al-Mustapha impossible were themselves beneficiaries of mercy. Thanks to General Abdulsalami’s magnanimity, they would have remained marooned in exile. Yet the pardon granted them had enabled some of them to contest elections in this country and occupy top decision making positions today.
One feels particularly saddened by the perception that the Yoruba are vindictive by nature. This generalization is, however, very wrong, hence my decision to write on this issue. It is unfair to brand the Yoruba collectively as being vengeful. For example, Dr. Frederick Fasheun, the medical doctor and factional leader of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and Chief Femi Fani-kayode, a former Aviation minister, had both thrown their weight behind the granting of amnesty to Major Al-Mustapha. It therefore, means that not all Yoruba oppose amnesty for other Nigerians who are not their own.
The presiding Judge never bothered to invite some key witnesses to clarify the unethical attempt to induce a witness. The indifference of the Judge had only compounded the suspicion of political motives behind the case.
In fact, the suggestion of political sentiments was further compounded by the allegation by Mustapha’s family that attempts were made to deny them a copy of the judgement with the purpose of frustrating the appeal process against Justice Dada’s controversial death sentence on the young Major. There was even a theory that Justice Dada was forced to give the harsh verdict to save her neck because of the hostile political environment in which the trial was held. Are Judges supposed to follow their conscience and the facts of a case or be guided by the fear of reprisals if their decisions go against the wishes of their political environment? If these theories are correct, then we are in a dangerous situation.
President Goodluck Jonathan should make a decisive and courageous political intervention in this matter and use his powers of the prerogative of mercy to grant amnesty to Al-Mustapha. As the commander-in-chief, he must rise against the mob sentiment and act wisely like a statesman. If amnesty is a bad idea, some people wouldn’t have contested elections in this country. Mercy, reconciliation and national healing are critical ingredients for reducing tension in society. President Jonathan should borrow a leaf from former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa who abandoned the idea of vengeance against his oppressors for the sake of national unity, reconciliation, healing and progress. South Africa did not collapse because of Mandela’s policy of forgiveness and healing. Nigeria will not collapse either if President Jonathan grants amnesty to Major Al-Mustapha. This poor convict has been punished enough and the thought of inflicting maximum vengeance on anyone is revolting.
Abdulrahaman wrote from Ali Akilu Road Kaduna