The British justice system is as fair and just as any justice system comes in the world. Defendants from third world countries, who have had the option of deciding on facing British justice or the justice of their own countries of origin; have been known to, without hesitation, opt for British justice. The main reason why someone was asking that Ibori be extradited to Nigeria, is the self same reason why some of his so called supporters, are using placards to hide their faces. They simply do not have the courage of the conviction they claim at that “demonstration”!
The British justice system is as fair and just as any justice system comes in the world. Defendants from third world countries, who have had the option of deciding on facing British justice or the justice of their own countries of origin; have been known to, without hesitation, opt for British justice. The main reason why someone was asking that Ibori be extradited to Nigeria, is the self same reason why some of his so called supporters, are using placards to hide their faces. They simply do not have the courage of the conviction they claim at that “demonstration”!
The British government requests the extradition of any British citizen to face trial in Britain because they have full confidence in the objectivity and impartiality of their justice system. Where and when the British government is able to establish the existence of parity of objectivity and fairness of the legal system of another country with hers; she never requests extradition of her citizens to stand trial in Britain. Conversely, the British government will not extradite a defendant in her custody to another country where such parity does not exist.
It is indeed quite a big shame and a tragedy that some Nigerians who live and work in Britain could unabashedly come out to give any form of “support” to a crook like Ibori. It simply shows that some of us are only passing through this society, without allowing the society, to pass through us. This is why, as a U.K. resident, I am bemused when I sometimes hear some of us in the Diaspora, look down on those we left at home in Nigeria, because we think we are better exposed than they are. We seem to have been sold on the idea that expatriate is better and superior; the notion that informs the brain-gain movement. Alas, see what has happened in this instance!
When we think the way some of these so called Ibori “supporters” do, and discuss in like manner on some of our discussion fora, dare one ask, wherein lies the difference? During the 2011 polls, I spoke with a lady in Nigeria, who was disgusted at the recklessness with which a particular Governorship aspirant from my home state was spending money; with a rider that, he could not even afford us the opportunity of the benefit of his long sojourn in a place with a supposedly better political and public morality.
Tragically and ironically too, it will not be surprising to find that most of the parties in this rented crowd, form the bulwark of most of our African Churches and Mosques, where they are supposed to be sincerely worshipping God, in all his glory, splendour and majesty. If this be the case, what are they going to tell this God later that day, when they get back to their roosts? What lessons in morality and proper conduct will they preach, first to their own children and to the “people of God”, at the next service?
The mindset of the Nigerian criminal, in or out of government, is built on the principle that they can always get away with impunity and the need to account for their actions, in the face of a weak and compromised state. However, they forget that the World is now a global village, where stolen money in one compromised and weak jurisdiction may influence the events in another rich and powerful jurisdiction, which may be powerful enough to bring them to justice. This is simply the web, which Ibori has inadvertently spinned for himself and in which he, and his accomplices, fortunately for Nigeria, are now caught.
Ride on Britain and many thanks for bringing them to their well-deserved justice, as we watch this case and follow it, with interest! May they all get the justice they richly deserve.
Oluremi Olu
Openshaw, Manchester, U.K.
<[email protected]>
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