But what made the House of Assembly to pass the resolution? Why is the Aduku case so different from others? For the benefit of people who may not have followed the story of this former Minister of State for Health, Chief Gabriel Aduku, an indigene of Kogi State, was appointed minister of state for health at the inception of the Umaru Musa Yar’adua administration in 2007.

In less than a year in office, the duo of Gabriel Aduku and Adenike Grange, the substantive Minister for Health, alongside other senior civil servants in the ministry, were accused of sharing 300 million naira, unspent budgetary allocations, contrary to presidential directives. They were subsequently arrested, detained and arraigned in an Abuja High Court but Chief Aduku was discharged for lack of evidence. When he was rearrested and charged before the same court, Aduku appealed to the Appeal Court. The Appeal Court also discharged Aduku that he had no case to answer. This led the EFCC to head to the Supreme Court but the Supreme Court in a ruling in November, 2009, discharged Aduku, saying he had no case to answer.

It was based on the above that the Kogi Assembly took the initiative to plead with the President to act and prove to Nigerians that innocent people in our midst will not suffer over wrongful allegations and prosecution. In the history of our current democracy, no state House of Assembly has ever come out boldly to defend any citizen against corruption. So, why did the Kogi House consider it of national interest to pass such a resolution?  According to the motion moved by Hon. Omebije, “whereas Arc. (Chief) Gabriel Yakubu Aduku, OON, a former Minister of State for Health, is an illustrious son of Kogi State, an astute politician of repute who, through his handwork and transparent honesty, has earned a prestigious title of Amana Ogohi 1 of Attah Igala.

He is a major pillar to the growth and development of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party in Kogi State and the country. He has served the state and the nation in different capacities particularly as the Minister of State under the administration of the late President, His Excellency, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua.” He further moved:  “What can we say of the reputation that is unjustly damaged by the illegal action of the the EFCC which took him several years to build? What can we say of the embarrassment and inhuman treatment he was subjected to by the cabal? We have every cause to thank God for the steadfastness of the courts which at each attempt, gave him judicial immunity.” He further argued that the innocence of Chief Aduku at all levels of the trials has earned for Kogi State, an icon of honesty among states of the federation.

Kogi Assembly is not alone in the assessment of Aduku as a loyal, trusted, honest and dependable politician. The Kogi East chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has also lent its voice to the Aduku debacle. In their words, where there is zero tolerance for corruption, the story would be incomplete if it is not balanced by zero tolerance for injustice and oppression of the oppressed.  To further underscore the fact that Aduku is a core grassroot politician who has impacted on lives in Kogi, the Kogi East chapter of CAN said of the man, “Our brother, Elder (Arc.) G. Y. Aduku is a committed follower of God whose house and other properties are left at the common use of the brethren.”

It is indeed at a time of trials that a man can be judged if he is truly ‘a man of the people.’ Unlike most politicians who do not dwell among their people except during elections, Aduku, a past president of the Nigerian Institute of Architects and Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, a member of several professional bodies around the world, is the quintessential politician who is always in the midst of his people. Little wonder then that the Kogi Elders Forum also identified with him in his hour of need:

“We do sympathize with you on the embarrassment and humiliation you must have been made to go through these past months and wish that you consider all that had transpired as the burden leaders have to bear at one time or the other. You should therefore, never get discouraged but be stronger in the faith you have in Nigeria.” Speaking in the same vein, the Attah of Igala, Dr Aliyu O. Obaje, CFR, said he was convinced that his subject whom he knows intimately would come out of the trials unscathed. “I have no doubt in my mind that with your hard work and transparent honesty which earned you the title of Amana Ogohi, you will be vindicated.”

From the foregoing, it is obvious that Aduku is not a man without honour in his home. He is widely respected at home and beyond.  Politicians in the mould of Aduku are rare to come by and the former president of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, is one of those who know Aduku as an impeccable political asset. “I am delighted to receive the good news from the Supreme Court which exonerated you from the allegations of fraud and conspiracy, prosecuted by the EFCC. We thank God for sparing our lives to see the end of the rigours and the dilemma of this unfortunate situation. What remains is the task before you and all your well-wishers to see the restoration of your honour and dignity by all concerned.”

The federal government’s fight against corruption will get a massive boost by the restoration of the honour and dignity of this former minister who was wrongly accused while still in office.

By identifying with Aduku, this administration will also be seen as one which abides by the tenets of the rule of law. It is only the Federal Government that can restore fully, the honour and integrity of this humble man whose reputation received a serious battering in the course of his service to his fatherland. President Jonathan should accede to the resolution of the Kogi House of Assembly and the voice of well-meaning Nigerians on the Gabriel Aduku issue.

Shuaibu Inabo, [email protected]