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By Richard F. Inoyo
Exactly two weeks ago, as the Country Director of Citizens Solution Network, I put up an article in respect to the disturbing trend of kidnapping and called on citizens, state and federal governments as well as the Nigerian Police Force across the country to do their own part in the fight against kidnapping. That article was largely borne out of my dedication to the course of ensuring that as a society we nib in the bud negative gales destabilizing the sanctity of a rational and safe society.
That said, the recent demolition of the property of a citizen accused of kidnapping by the Cross River State Government has created a new kind of concern.
While it is on record that as a people we are all unhappy with the negative trend of kidnapping, and the fact that we all are genuinely opposed to the unlawful adoption and inhumane incarceration of another man by a group of miscreants in quest of ransome which kidnapping is all about.
Yet, even as extremely important as it is for us all to reinvent ourselves to confront and defeat the scourge of kidnapping in our society through intelligence gathering and counter-kipnapping response. It also of equal importance to ensure that this fight against this terrible crime is carried out in such a way that no innocent person is allowed to suffer, and no perpetrator escapes the sword and wrath of justice.
At this juncture, in order to ensure that we achieve such outcome, it would be vitally necessary to find and engage the best possible crime-tackling protocol that prevent possible executive abuse and misuse of power especially in today’s world where any person can accuse you over anything without evidence.
And in building this error-minimization protocol of justice administration, it is important we start by taking into cognisance and asking the following question:
“What if today someone accuses some of you of kipnapping and have your house demolished without court hearing or zero body of compelling proof? How would you feel and what would be your fate?
Though the recent demolition of the houses of some persons accused of kidnapping by the Cross River State is backed by laws adopted by various states in 2015, but it is still questionable and create room for possible miscarriage in administration of criminal justice under the caprices of executive order.
As a rule, the idea of separation of power should be central to all law enforcement protocol, lest bunch of executive fellows with questionable agenda may hunt down critics or dissidents in future by simply accusing them of kidnapping and have their properties confiscated or demolished without pronouncement from the Judiciary_ which happens to be the most acceptable arm of government saddled with all extant powers to entertain, try and pronounce binding judgement on accused, arrested and prosecuted persons in the light of evidence beyond reasonable doubt and bias.
Going forward, I wish to seize this medium to ask us all to call for and demand overwhelming evidence at all times that will apprehended and overseen by an exhaustive trial of all accused persons in assigned court of competent jurisdiction before bringing down the properties of any accused person in furtherance of equity, avoidance of doubt, high-level of proof and justification of every state action.
This I believe is the best way to safeguard a society of more powerless men, and avert error in executive decisions led by few men who a sad part of our collective history has shown that some executives had never truly cared about the poorest and most powerless demographics of our fragile society.
Signed
Richard F. Inoyo
Country Director,
Citizens Solutions Network.
For: Civilian Population and Council.
