GYP CONDEMNS JUNGLE JUSTICE AND MALTREATMENT OF NIGERIANS!

 

Global Youth Parliament (GYP), an international youth focused non-governmental organization, condemns in the strongest of terms, the barbaric act of stripping a woman off her clothes in a video making the rounds. The victim was alleged to have stolen some commodities recently, and was greeted with a harsh maltreatment. While we do not support or encourage stealing of any kind, we also do not support or encourage jungle justice or taking laws into one’s hands.

We all know that people commit various crimes including stealing for quite a number of pitiable reasons, other than the innate or inherent traits for pilfering. Nonetheless, there is absolutely no reasons strong enough to justify the uncivilized and sinful act of stealing, no matter how small the object involved might be. However, two wrongs do not make a right. Irrespective of the gravity of any offence committed, it remains off beam, intolerable, and unlawful to render any offender naked.

Similarly, we completely denunciate the dastardly act perpetuated by the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (fSARS) of the Nigerian police, on a young man a couple of days ago, which regrettably took his life. Consequently, the social media have been engulfed by calls seeking the dissolution of fSARS. It leaves nothing to be desired, when those saddled with the responsibility of protecting life and property become perpetuators of the very acts they were established to combat.

We therefore, vehemently condemn these unscrupulous acts on the following grounds:

1.       It is unlawful – there is no law supporting jungle justice or punishment of any alleged offender by just anybody outside the verdict of a competent court of law.

2.       It is dehumanizing and unsocial – reducing an adult to a child and exposing his or her nakedness, is culturally detestable and socially unacceptable. No one has the right to take away the dignity or life of a fellow human being.

3.       It berates our sense or morality as Africans – Africans and particularly Nigerians frown at indecent dressing, let alone forcing a woman to be naked in public view. This goes to unveil how morally depraved many young people have become in the 21^st century. We must revise this trend and reposition the youths for a more productive life and value to the society.

4.       It reveals the degree of lawless tendency ingrained in many people - This could be a reflection of either a low level of civilization or outright unwillingness to do what is right or lack of faith in the law enforcement agencies. All these call for worries and must be squarely addressed as part of efforts in nation building.

It is therefore pertinent to reiterate that no alleged thief should be subjugated to dehumanizing conditions or treatments, without the prescription of a judge of competent jurisdiction. It is high time we began imbibing procedural approaches in dealing with one another, regardless of social status and the weight of allegations. Every victim of any allegation should be considered innocent until such a person is legally pronounced guilty of the offence. We must begin the process of ensuring maximum protection and preservation of human dignity as well as mutual respect. We must learn to allow various agencies to perform their functions independently, according to the constitutional provisions of the laws. It is time we began to trust the judicial processes and allow the executives discharge their duties uninterruptedly; and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) must be able to prove to the populace that it deserves the trust & confidence of Nigerians in all its operations. Let’s put an end to taking laws into our hands; as we make Nigeria thrive again on love, peace, and unity.

Finally, if you suspect or apprehend a thief or common criminal, the appropriate thing to do is to hand such an individual to the police and allow the laws to take its course. It is not in the power of just anyone (including the fSARS or Nigeria police) to pass judgement and execute punishment for any alleged crime. Let’s pursue globalization, civilization, orderliness and make our society a better and habitable place.

God bless the Global Youth Parliament!

God bless the federal republic of Nigeria!!

God bless Africa!!!

 Thank you all.

This article was written by Aghedo, Ojore Godday, Senatorial District Coordinator for GYP Edo State Chapter.

©Aghedo, Ojore Godday