The
very first time i saw this quotation, “in
a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act” my mind flashed back
home, that is my fatherland, Nigeria. In that country, truth is like poison that
must never be told! This would lead me to the case of popular ‘fuji’ musician Abas
Akande aka Obesere that was alleged raping a 29-year-old business woman, Miss Olanike
Olaiya, in his Okota residence.
According
to the source then, Obesere found it difficult to pressurize the Divisional
Police Officer at Isolo Division, Aminu Ibrahim, where the alleged crime was committed
into striking out the matter or persuade the victim to accept a settlement.
Obesere , it was learnt then contacted some top citizens to wade into the
matter by persuading the DPO to soft-pedal on the matter but they backed
down when they discovered that the police have incriminating evidence against
the musician. Hence, the case then transferred to the State Criminal
Investigation Department, (SCID.)Thanks to his contact in the police at the top.
What
follows is now best known to me and you; Obesere then went on national television
to brag that yes the lady in question was his girl friend and they made love
together bla bla bla.
However, for Obesere to go on
national television bragging that he
made love to this lady and that some people(s) are behind his downfall is
foolish submission, this shows that ‘’Obesere is not only sexually
provocative, but he is also an anti-social personality. This is because, to
have gone to MITV to air his monstrous barbarism he has shown the public that
he is devoid of conscience and empathy for the needs of Olanike as a job-seeker’’ ‘But perhaps the worst is the cultural
atmosphere that normalises and consequently accepts sexual harassment as both
inevitable, and in an insidious sense, "normal".’
Moreover, in this case
of Olanike versus Obesere, It was so surprising to notice that majority of the
women that made comments about the incident in my blog either abused me or
called Olanike a prostitute or gold digger, haven failed to see beyond their
nose that seeking a help or employment from a rich man does not make you a
prostitute or gold digger. And no normal
woman should “tolerate" or turn a blind eye to sexual harassment or rape
for that matter.
The case on this alleged sexual harassment or rape against
Obesere will never see the light of the day simply because “in a time of deceit telling the truth is a
revolutionary act’.
The above was corroborated by
Pa Joseph Fagbola , why we would never
get to the bottom of the matter:’ 1. Bad Police work; We have read of the
police taking with Alhaji Abass Akande. These are the policemen who are paid to
detect and prevent crime, perpetrating same. They may neither refuse to charge
the matter to court or delay justice. They may also manipulate evidence to suit
Akande already calling the shot
2. Effluxion of time-This incident took place fairly long time ago Not that it
is time or statute barred since it is a criminal case, but investigation may
have been stalled because they may no longer be found except the bruises around
the virgina and it has to be proved that this was wound sustained by fingering
with ring on
3. Lack of application of science/technology- We have not heard so far that DNA
is done, no public hair from the private parts of the 2 parties obtained for
laboratory analysis. How would anybody be able to say with precision that
Akande ever had the sex at all? For sex to take place, there must be complete
intromision. That is the penis must have penetrated beyond labia majora to the
labia minora (inner lips of the vagina). How does anybody gauge or establish
that now?
4. Eye witness identification- Already witnesses have been coming forward to
say the two people in the case are friends. Nobody would testify that they
heard distress calls or calls for assistance by the lady. This is Nigeria where
nobody would testify against their neighbors; and
5. Lazy/arrogant prosecution-Like I said earlier on, Obesere may buy the
prosecution over in which case, they do lazy /arrogant prosecution . The judge
will not descend into the arena to participate in the trial, (like the
notorious Hippy Harlet.) He/she will go by the evidence made available in the
case
It is therefore unfortunate that the case may not even go on trial at all,
given the personality on trial and the break down of system of administration
of criminal justice in Nigeria. The lesson we may have to learn like you said
is to know our friends and to avoid communicating with evil people. Finally if
this type of thing happens to any lady (which I do not pray) immediate action
must be taken and all possible reports, tests done’
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