JUNGLE JUSTICE: THE PATH TO JUSTICE OR NOT?
Nigerians would always remember the story of the four innocent university of Port Harcourt students that were brutally murdered by residents of Aluu community on accusation of theft which turned out to be false. Some Nigerians felt pity for them because they were innocent of the crime they were accused and murdered for, others felt pity for their families, and many talked about the dashed hopes and dreams. I was quite surprised that only few debated on the issue of jungle justice in a country like Nigeria often referred as ‘’Giants of Africa.’’ Each time I heard people discuss the issue, I listened with hope that citizens of Nigeria, a country believed to be en route greatness would think about how to end jungle justice in Nigeria. Owing to the public outcry for justice, I thought to myself ‘’Chinedu this will end the problem of jungle justice in Nigeria or at least lead a revolution to end it.’’ With time, I noticed that most Nigerians were saddened by the fact that the boys were innocent, they were right though but wrong not to have condemned the act of jungle justice (some did though). I was disappointed, and each time the question of jungle justice as means for justice arose, my reply is always NO.
People defend jungle justice on the basis that it ensures
revenge and payback, I hear folks argue that the punishment for offenders of
the law especially terrorists like the dreaded Boko Haram sect is Jungle
justice. For a country like Nigeria where justice is perverted oftentimes,
where one can bribe his/her way out of punishment for crimes committed, where
citizens are not sure they can rely on the constitution and government for
justice, one might due to anger and disappointment defend the inhumane act of
jungle justice. Folks fail to pose certain questions like; what if the accused
is innocent? What about giving the offender a second chance? What do our
religions preach about vengeance? What if the accused is family, would I kill
or give the individual another chance? Does jungle justice promote democracy
and our justice system? Are we moving forward as a nation or not?
I recall an incident that happened few years back. On a
sunny Saturday afternoon while heading to the viewing centre to see an English
Premier League game (football or soccer), I saw a crowd chasing a tall skinny
boy and chanting ‘’parawo,’’ an hausa term literally translated as thief. As
they headed towards my direction, I was left with two options, it was either I catch
and surrendered him to the angry mob or risk letting him go and be mistaken for
the thief, I am not Jesus Christ and was not prepared to do the latter. He had
stolen a woman’s phone, all she did was grabbing her phone from his hands, and
did not bother to look me in the face talk more of saying thanks. I could not
last a minute in the scene because the young man was hit with heavy sticks and
as someone reached for a big stone to use on the thief, I left quickly not
because I have not seen scenarios worse than that, but because I could not
stand the guilt I felt inside.
''What has violence ever
accomplished? What has it ever created? No martyr's cause has ever been stilled
by an assassin's bullet. No wrongs have ever been righted by riots and civil
disorders. A sniper is only a coward, not a hero; and an uncontrolled or uncontrollable
mob is only the voice of madness, not the voice of the people.'' - Robert Kennedy
We claim to be a democratic nation, respect rule of law and
the constitution, yet we cannot live up to democratic tenets. Some might argue
the practice of democracy, what about our religious teachings on vengeance
being for the Lord (Christians)? I hear of people being burnt in the public especially
in places like Aba. The worst case of jungle justice that I have seen is the
act being carried out by law enforcement agents. Back in 2017 during my
national service in Cross River state, some kidnappers faced a police firing
squad without trial in court. I was shocked by public appraisal of the act,
many argued that it would serve as a lesson to all. If we are quick to
eliminate such persons, what about politicians that embezzle huge sums of money
and get away with it? What about notorious kidnappers like Evans that the
public knows little or nothing about the trial in court? Despite the
disappointments that come with our justice system, we must not give up because
we are on the path of nation building and we have the power to quicken the
process.
Wow... If Only we will listen.You said i5 all brother. Jungle Justice to me remains Unjustified Justice
ReplyDeleteThis is nice Edu!
ReplyDeletekudos brother
ReplyDeleteJungle justice is evil but not because any religion said so. Im in a place rn where I'm averse to most religious teachings but that's by the way. It's am act that is more animal like than human like. The government should really do well to douse the fears and disappointments of the people by reforming the justice system. I'm sure it'll go a long way.
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