Listening to voices of reason
I had to quote Chief Clark to this extent because of the significance of his intervention in this issue of Al-Mustapha’s freedom. His appeal is of particular importance not only because he is an elder from the Niger Delta, but also because of his closeness to President Goodluck Jonathan. The office of the President is […]
I had to quote Chief Clark to this extent because of the significance of his intervention in this issue of Al-Mustapha’s freedom. His appeal is of particular importance not only because he is an elder from the Niger Delta, but also because of his closeness to President Goodluck Jonathan. The office of the President is a powerful office and Chief Clark is an influential voice in this administration. His voice in this matter has raised the morale of many of us who have struggled relentlessly through opinion articles, seeking for the freedom of Al-Mustapha.
No society can thrive on vengeance; forgiveness and mercy is not a sign of weakness or fear. This was largely the reason why the former South African President, Dr. Nelson Mandela chose reconciliation and forgiveness rather than pursuing vengeance against former apartheid leaders that sent him to prison for 27 years because of his determined struggle to free his people. The Archbishop Desmond Tutu-led Truth and Reconciliation Commission was the finest example of statesmanship by former President Nelson Mandela. As the Indian sage, Mahatma Gandhi said, “an eye for an eye will make the whole world go blind.”
Apart from Chief Edwin Clark, other prominent Nigerian leaders such as the OPC factional leader, Dr. Fredrick Fasheun, retired Supreme Court Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani Kayode and the former leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, had previously made passionate appeals for the release of Major Al-Mustapha. The plight of Al-Mustapha is gaining wider national concern with the latest appeal by Chief Edwin Clark, urging President Jonathan and Governor Fashola to temper justice with mercy. Francis Bacon, the English Statesman, described vengeance as a form of wild justice, which the law should seek to weed out. Since we have no evidence of nations that crumbled because of the virtue of mercy, there is no reason to believe that the freedom of Al-Mustapha is the end of the world for Nigeria.
It is instructive that former detainees such as Dr. Fredrick Fasheun and Asari Dokubo openly and passionately called for a state pardon for Al-Mustapha because they themselves experienced the trauma of incarceration. Inflicting maximum vengeance on any fellow Nigerian in the name of justice, especially where the victim has spent 12 years in detention, should not give anybody any joy. The complication of political intrigues and the prolonged delay that have attended his trial are themselves opening the hearts of many Nigerians who are now calling for the freedom of Al-Mustapha. His trial is the longest in recent memory, which explains why the longer he is kept in detention, the more public sympathy he gains. The suggestion that he is delaying his own trial is illogical. Who wants to suffer the deprivations and health risks of prison life? Who wants to be detached from his wife, children and mother for 12 years? This argument is not only wicked but thoughtless.
Mercy unites people, regardless of which section of Nigeria they come from. When former President Obasanjo granted freedom to the leaders of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) over alleged mass murder charges, Nigeria didn’t disintegrate. When the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua granted pardon to former Niger Delta militants, despite the gravity of their offence against the state, Nigeria didn’t collapse either. Why should Al-Mustapha’s case be different? Why is his alleged offence beyond pardon, despite spending 12 years in the slammer?
The peculiar circumstances surrounding Al-Mustapha’s case makes the intervention of President Jonathan necessary. Since 1999, major Al-Mustapha has appeared before nine judges and a magistrate. In addition, his trial recorded 49 adjournments so far and yet there is no immediate indication that the case is coming to a conclusion any time soon. This poor army officer had faced trial within a trial, including allegations of planning and bankrolling a coup d’etat against former President Obasanjo. The most dramatic aspect of that allegation was that Al-Mustapha had wanted to shoot down Obasanjo’s helicopter with a stinger missile. Eventually, however, the allegations of coup conspiracy couldn’t stand up in court and the major was acquitted and discharged.
Nobody should take sadistic pleasure in the suffering of any fellow man. One believes that only President Jonathan and the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola can bring this issue to a close through a state pardon. They need to find an urgent political solution to this case. Mercy doesn’t harm any country. As a respected national figure, Chief Edwin Clark knew what he was talking about. Forgiveness and reconciliation reduce tension in any society. We gain nothing by seeking vengeance at any price. President Jonathan’s interest in Al-Mustapha’s case will go a long way to unite the nation. Rigidity or inflexibility in matters of compassion is an unwise course for any country to follow. Major Al-Mustapha has suffered enough and whoever is seeking any satisfaction from his prolonged detention and sluggish trial process should by now reflect deeply and ask whether after 12 years, it is worth fighting a perceived enemy who is broken by his ordeal. The amnesty policy for the Niger Delta militants has now disarmed even those who privately had misgivings about it. A nation is happier in an atmosphere of reconciliation and forgiveness. With Chief Edwin Clark’s latest intervention, the ball is now in President Jonathan’s and Fashola’s courts. The best revenge against a perceived enemy is forgiveness which all the religions of the world preach.
Ibn Kachalla, a community youth activist, lives at No. 33 Anguwar Rimi Kaduna. [email protected]