By Sabastine Hon
I have read with bewilderment calls for the removal of Senator (Dr.) George Akume from office as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. I MOST VEHEMENTLY oppose those calls for several reasons, including the following:
1. The persons or groups making those calls cite an investigation by the EFCC of Senator Akume’s aide, Mr. Tor Uchi, for corruption. In criminal law, there is no vicarious liability. Good a thing, the SGF had long issued a statement distancing himself from the allegations against Mr. Uchi. The EFCC has neither indicted Senator Akume nor questoined him. Why then must he be made to suffer the consequences of someone else’s alleged wrongdoing? In any case, even for Mr. Uchi, until he is proved guilty, he is presumed innocent. This is our constitutional reality.
2. Those making the call for suspension/removal from office also cite the case of former Minister, Beta Edu. They, however, deliberately feign ignorance that the Minister in question was personally involved. If the appointing power or authority is to resign or step aside as being canvassed, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who appointed Minister Edu should have been asked then to resign when she was alleged to have committed those economic crimes. We are too pretentious and biased in this country.
3. I cannot pretend that in the face of fierce competition for the soul of Nigeria, I have no interest in having my kinsman at the epicentre of power. Senator Akume is my kinsman and I am proud that he is occupying that highly exalted position. Save for good reasons shown, he should remain there. Nigeria belongs to all of us.
4. I am neither corrupt nor do I support or aid corruption in any way. Indeed, I abhor it! I challenge any person to prove me wrong! At the same time, I hate injustice and petty jealousy. That’s why I have worked tirelessly to this modest level of mine. Standing on these wikets, I fight injustice and wickedness. Again, my records speak for me.
I round up by saying that it took me three solid days to ruminate and deeply carry out introspection before putting up this public writeup. I took the decision to speak up, bracing for sundry snide and even outright abusive reactions. Accusations of sectionalism (Jemgbagh connection) and political inclination are expected. Since I hardly respond to such issues publicly, let me preempt my potential traducers and accusers, as follows:
1. When Gbeji and Zaki Biam were attacked by the army, I was the first (and probably only) Tiv person to issue a statement condemning it. This was widely published. I am not from that part of the Tiv Nation.
2. When President Obasanjo moved against General Victor Malu, I was the first Tiv man to publicly rail and rage against it. This was also published. I am not from the same zone or clan with the late General.
3. When the Government moved against Bernard Ver as the DG of the BPP, no Tiv man spoke against it before me. My views were also published in the papers. He is alive to confirm/refute this. I am not from his clan.
4. When moves were made to remove Dr. Gemade from office as the PDP National Chairman, I sent a strong-worded article to The Guardian, which was published. Chief Gemade is alive to confirm/refute this. We are not from the same zone.
5. When Dr. Paul Orhii was muted for appointment as the DG of NAFDAC and a section of the country objected for flimsy reasons, I spoke up boldly. He’s alive. We are not from the same place.
6. At the valedictory session in honour of one of the past Chief Judges of the Federal High Court, I sat right behind Chief Michael AondoAkaa, SAN, then Attorney-General of the Federation. One SAN from a section of the country I withhold from revealing, who sat beside me, was busy attacking Chief AondoAkaa to his hearing and I strongly cautioned him. AondoAkaa turned and looked at us. He’s alive to confirm or deny this.
7. At the height of the ill-motivated calls for the removal of the late Justice Katsina-Alu from office as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, I was the only Tiv man who appeared on live TV to strongly oppose that. His beloved family can confirm that.
8. When Hon. Justice Onnoghen was being harassed for some wrong reasons, I stood with him throughout his court cases. His lordship is from Cross River State.
9. I can go on and on. I deal with people on the basis of my deep fear of God and my deep conviction about the tenets of equity and justice. I, therefore, have a MOST CLEAR CONSCIENCE tapping my fingers as I post this message.
Again, I urge President Tinubu to dismiss all those calls for the removal of Senator Akume from office. The President should also remember that those calling for the removal of Senator Akume his close ally, from office might (indeed are most likely) his political enemies.
If need be, I will personally pen a letter to Mr. President on this. Au revoire.
Professor ST Hon, SAN, writes as a Constitutional Lawyer
