by Cheta Nwanze

The problem with precedence is that it leads to more bad behaviour because people watching develop a belief, not surprisingly, that they can get away with anything.

The treatment of children in Nigeria is a source for concern. We take
the concept of sparing the rod a little too far. Consider this: Kassim
Mohammed, Tobi Daramola and James Aniekan are alleged to have raped a
seven year old. The case was brought before the Magistrate Court sitting
in Ikeja, and the sitting Wig, E.B. Daudu decided that one of the
suspects, Tobi, was fit to be released back into society, albeit on
bail. As for the seven year old rape victim, she was sent to a
correctional facility, because her guardians could not take proper care
of her, which made her vulnerable to sexual assault.

Hit me over the head with a bean pole, but how would sending a seven
year old rape victim who needs all the love and care in the world to a
correctional facility (if such a thing can be called correctional in
this country) help her? And what kind of message are we sending to the
world by letting an accused child rapist loose? Oh shoot, we pardoned a
homosexual child rapist about a month ago now, so there is precedence.

The problem with precedence is that it leads to more bad behaviour
because people watching develop a belief, not surprisingly, that they
can get away with anything. Thus it was that I started looking for a new
job in Cotonou as the kidnappers of Ejigbo fila, Kehinde Bamigbetan were
rewarded with N15 millions to compensate for the expenses incurred in
hosting him for five days. This came about the same time as those who
have been plundering our oil commonwealth have demanded an amnesty.

All of this as a US report informs us that our gaols have been turned
into a training ground for up to 6,000 of our kids. Which tells us just
where our seven-year old friend would end up if common sense fails to
prevail.

Quote of the day

“God will never allow APC to rule Nigeria,” – Isa Yuguda now speaks for
the Almighty. For the records, Pastor Yuguda called the Almighty 77
times in that interview (yes, I counted). Can someone open Exodus 20:7
for me?

Bits and bobs

I find myself having to apologise for the Nigerian media once again as
not a single media establishment was able to inform us that 185 of our
fellow countrymen were killed Friday night in the latest instalment of
Nigeria vs #BokoHaram.

Rotimi Amaechi is still smarting. He believes that “The Temple of
Justice” has been desecrated. With Wigs like Mrs. Daudu, well…

To be fair to the Wigs though, sometimes their hands are tied. Lagos
wants to correct that, but will the FG follow suit? JAMB question!

The CBN tells us that #OperationCashless has been a resounding success
in Lagos. After reading that with my jaw on the ground, I’m off to go
and jack the CSU at my bank over the money that the ATM failed to spit
out last Friday.

Right of reply.

Kalu Aja wrote,

In response to Victor Osibe

Chxta spoke that blasphemy, not I. Its comments like that that made
Juventus crash out of CL.

God is good.

Chidi Okoye wrote,

In response to Victor Osibe, I wasn’t aware that God is in the wrought
iron business.

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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.