The Vice Of A Vice President By Adeola Soetan

Prof Osinbajo pretends not to be a lawyer anytime he’s in the Presidential Villa. But as soon as he is out of the power house to deliver speech at public forum, he immediately becomes an erudite human right SAN, lecturing the nation on rule of law, Administration of Criminal Justice, the need for quick dispensation of justice, non-manipulation of judicial system, non-conformity of law with human right abuses and other “fine fine medicine” to enhance the nation’s jurisprudence.

But after coming down from the pulpit of public space, the professor pastor immediately ceases to be the erudite human right lawyer again on his way back to the Villa. Literally, he will secretely fold his silk, gown and keep it inside his bag, give an aide to keep for him until another public engagement comes where he will repeat himself on the need for expedited prosecution and adjudication of criminal cases.

The “man of God”  and “man of law” has been managing his life quietly as the VP, striking a delicate balance between tyranny and constitutionalism, what is and what should be. Quite understandable, it’s not easy to serve God as a pastor and mammon as a politician in a lawless government. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other.. ” Matthew 6:24. No middle point or fence sitting. 

Delivering brilliant seminar  papers on legal positions, ACJ, rule of law and posturing as a human right advocate remains nothing more than an academic exercise, a mere wishful thinking that will not be touched or implemented by a government he’s number two at least by the constitutional hierarchy.

Can we remind Prof Osinbajo that government and its agencies are in the best position to exemplify the good practice of law he is always suggesting in seminar halls but unfortunately not in Aso Rock Villa. Many lawyers and judges often  imitate government in practice and actions, when government and its agencies manipulate law and exploit  technicalities in the  justice system and treat law and the judiciary with contempt and ridicule, you do not expect lawyers to act better. So, healer heal thyself first. 

Osinbajo should be reminded again that as he is busy  delivering his homily on ACJ, quick dispensation of justice, rule of law and human right across the country, that there is a judicial hostage held by Buhari/Osinbajo’s government in the now  largest prison space in the world, Abuja, detained with movement restriction by the court through the manipulation of the justice system by the DSS. An agency that is not ready to prosecute him for over a year now  but just to keep him indefinitely until Baba Agba, Buhari pleases. In case the Vice President has forgotten, your government’s judicial hostage’s name is Omoyele Sowore of #RevolutionNow Movement fighting for good governance that your government is severely lacking to deliver. 

So Prof, it’s not how much you talk or lecture us, it’s  how much you act, walk the talk on the side of rule of law, speedy dispensation of justice and human right protection.

It’s a vice that as a Vice President, you have not stood against Malami, DSS’ and your government’s  open, brutish and arrogant manipulation of judicial system to keep Sowore as a judicial hostage right there in your backyard. Not even under every draconian military regime was law so brazenly manipulated to keep hostage like this.

As a lawyer, a SAN, a Christian and pastor, you should know that your government or its agency, DSS, is not ready or serious to prosecute Sowore  for terrorism, treasonable felony, money laundering, abusing the president, or other ridiculous charges of its fancy  because it will be very  stupid and ridiculous of your government to do so with no facts and evidence. Pastor, but  you know the truth ke. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” John 8 :32. “Conscience is an open wound only truth can heal it”.

As a pastor, Osinbajo is expected to behave like John the Baptist, who spoke truth to King Herod. Yes, John was beheaded  and his head was served on a platter after speaking truth to King Herold. Mark 6: 14-29, but the truth he spoke was never buried with him. At 60 years of “Independence”, it’s  shameful that a government that came to power on the mantra of “change” and with about five SANs as cabinet members is keeping a citizen as judicial hostage.

Release Omoyele Sowore, Bakare and all political detainees in the government gulags now.