VOL 9 N0.29

THE EDITOR,
Dear Sir,

RE: HOW THE "ETERNAL" TRIAL OF SQUIB EDITOR FAILED TO START AGAIN.

I must commend your courage in facing your "endless" trial. But whatever has a beginning must have an end. No matter how long and 'eternal' your persecutors had planned to make your trial to last, it must have an end because it has a beginning and I decree an end to the 'eternal' trial sooner than your persecutors had planned.

Please permit my going rather spiritual, call for a fast and a prayer fellowship over this lingering trial and let us see how far your persecutors can go. The spiritual determines the physical, don't ignore this.

I commend learned silk, Professor S.A Adesanya SAN for his decision "not to be part of illegality". One would have expected Chief Lawal-Rabana to take the path of honour by disqualifying himself from further proceeding before the highly respected G.O.K. Ajayi SAN raised the issue. The issue is not just about 'bias' but "likelihood of bias". With the petition of Chief Lawal Rabana SAN now published, I would be surprised to see him in the panel when next it reconvene or else it would be clear to all that he is on a mission of personal vengeance and vendetta, a mission impossible.

I have gone through the petition of LA Sotiminu the then Chief Judge and was amused by her narration of the incident as it concerned Hon. Justice A.A Alabi the now about to go Chief Judge when she wrote:- "Mr. Adesina described Hon. Justice Ade Alabi who during the lockouts trying to break his way in as "the Judge, the hammer"

Is it not disgusting and dishonourable of a Chief judge (then in waiting) to try to break his way in? Is that a conduct becoming of a Honourable Judge? Let us call a spade, a spade that is not only dishonourable, it is ungentlemanly.

Please, Editor-in-Chief, could you please check the records and see if Hon. Justice A.A. Alabi is also standing trial for infamous conduct and an act that is capable of turning the respected office of a Judge into an "Omo Ita" and "agbero" office.

SQUIB
The Editor,
I was in Justice Alogba’s court last week and to my shock, heard his lordship praising you and your magazine. According to the judge, the system actually needs people like you, saying further that the only possible remonstration with you is moderation
Editor’s Note: We thank God.

SOKOTO NEC
The Editor,
Just want to tell you that I really enjoyed reading your account of your trip to Sokoto in the Squib.
Editor’s Note: Sir, you did?

MEIGBOPE
The Editor,
Although it was a bad thing for policemen to assault a magistrate, but the magistrate involved (W.A.E Meigbope) would not have been beaten up and humiliated if he had not ventured out of his court to confront the policemen who were determined to re-arrest the people, he had just discharged.
He caused the disgrace to happen to him, by stepping out of the court-room and court premises to confront the police-men. He ought to know better than doing that-considering the mentality of the average Nigerian police-men.
Editor’s Note:-Discretion is the better part of valour eh?

STAFF BUS
The Editor,
Those people who complained to you about discriminatory practices going on in the staff bus are only being mischievous. It is not true that we give-queries to junior staff, for-arguing or quarreling with senior staff. The only time that happened was a long time ago when a level six officer was rude to a level 13 officer. But the lady involved apologized adequately and matter was resolved amicably.
As for reserved seats, that courtesy was given to the elderly ones amongst us, those who had spent even more than 30 years in service and of course being that old, we felt it was not nice for such category of people to be struggling with the younger ones for space in the staff bus.
Whatever our education, we-should not forget that we are Africans and as such, must give regard to elders
Editor’s Note: Well spoken

VOL 9 NO 31

POLICE BEAT UP MAGISTRATE
The Editor,
The above screaming headline caught my eye on the drive home on Friday the 22nd May 2009. It was reported in the PM News dated Friday 22nd May 2009 Vol. 15 No. 96. I forward herewith a copy of the paper for your perusal.
It evoked a mix of emotions, sadness, resignation, nonchalance (people get beaten up every day by the police) until it dawned on me that this may be a nail in the coffin of the institution called the judiciary and ultimately the legal system as it exists presently in Nigeria.
I am not being alarmist, my view is borne by consideration of other similar reports in recent times, the Squib reported some time ago that a lawyer was arrested and beaten up in the court premises after a judge had issued restraining orders, the PM News reported that a magistrate fought a Policeman because he approached her parked vehicle and wanted to know why the vehicle was parked and who it's occupants were, (I am sorry I don't have the date and volume of newspaper), the Punch reported that a Magistrate fought a driver because the driver blocked the Magistrate's access to his residence etc.
This progression downhill is swift and we may soon witness the sacking of the courts by the police or some other coercive arm of the Executive.
Our first reaction, being cynical and jaded Nigerians, is "don't other Nigerians get beaten up? What's so special about the magistrate? God knows what lie did to provoke the battery”.
I urge that we discard this attitude, not because of the individual, but because of the institution in which we all have a vested interest.
Another reaction this time from legal practitioners, may be “what does the judiciary do when it happens to lawyers?" My response again is that the battery of a Magistrate, Judge or any other legal officer is a massive blow to the institution, today the police tomorrow an aggrieved litigant and thereafter any person who dislikes the judicial officer or his views can fall on the said officer and pummel him to his satisfaction.
When judicial officers start getting a beating in the course of their duties, justice disappears, when there is no justice, anarchy reigns and Hobbesian theory of life being brutish and short comes to pass.
While it is true that the judiciary has not being a partner to the Bar, the Bar should rise above this, protect the judiciary and the judicial institution.
I suggest that the Bar make a formal report to the Executive Governor of the State, that the "Unknown Policemen" be identified and proper sanctions brought to bear on them and their commanding officers.
It is the NBA's graven duty to rise against anything that may derogate or in any way tarnish the judicial institution, it is in its interest to do so.
Thank you.
VICTOR C. GWAM ESQ.
Editor’s Note: - Well said.


NBA LAGOS ELECTION
The Editor,
You are biased in your report about the forthcoming elections of the NBA Lagos. Why did you make Gboyega. Kolade’s picture bigger than those of the other contestants, if not that you are biased in his favour because he advertised in your magazine?
Editor’s Note: - You call that report biased?

NBA LAGOS BRANCH
The Editor,
Concerning the NBA Lagos branch election, I agree with your analysis that Dayo Onakoya will come last in the election. He is an unknown.
Editor’s Note: - Let’s wait and see


NBA LAGOS BRANCH
The Editor,
The best thing for the three Yoruba people in the contest for the chairman NBA Lagos branch is for two of them to step down for the third, to squarely face the Igbo chap.
Editor’s Note: - I doubt whether your advice will be followed.

ADETULA ALABI CJ
The Editor,
I can not help but laugh heartily reading your Prophet Sukubu cartoon. Am sure the chief judge Augustine Adetula Alabi can never forgive you. You are such a rascal, teasing the poor man so mercilessly every week. I am still laughing
Editor’s Note: - Still laughing?