Revolution possible in Nigeria, says Akanbi

NOVEMBER 26, 2014 

Former Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Justice Mustapha Akanbi

The pioneer former chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other-Offences Commission, Justice Mustapha Akanbi, on Tuesday reflected on the state of the nation.

He came down hard on the judiciary, saying “the Bench should not be for the highest bidder.”

He also warned political actors in the country and its leadership against god-fatherism and corruption, saying a revolution exemplified by the recent incident in Ouagadougou is possible in Nigeria.

The renowned jurist spoke with journalists in Abuja ahead of the public presentation of his two books, “The story of my two worlds” (an autobiography) and “A life of service and grace: Shared perspectives” (a collection of Essays by scholars), scheduled for today (Wednesday).

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo will serve as the chairman of the occasion.

According to him, the present generation should not see life as a mere acquisition of wealth but a call to service.

He said, “I have been a member of the National Judicial Council with Justice Babalakin. I remember that when we were leaving, the Secretary was almost weeping, saying, ‘When people like you are leaving, who will be the voice of the voiceless’? The Bench is not supposed to be for the highest bidder. I was invited by an Oyinbo man, the Chief Justice of Northern Nigeria then, to come unto the Bench because I started practicing Law initially. I didn’t want to be a judge.

“But I told my father that I have been invited to be a High Court Judge. He said he was a friend to the father of Williams and Fani-Kayode, who were great lawyers. He said, ‘As a young Magistrate, they will bow before you. Now they called you to become a judge and you said you want to think about it? Go and take that job.’

“It’s not like now. If the right persons are appointed, you won’t have any problem with the Bench. You know the pressure now. With everybody lobbying to get to the Bench, that is the problem.”

Akanbi also warned that revolution should not be ruled out in Nigeria, as long as the political actors continue to misplace their priorities.

He however said that the African Union and the world generally frowned on violent revolution and would always ensure a return to democratic rule.

The ex-ICPC boss said, “I am a democrat, but if you see what happened recently at Ouagadougou when they have to go and burn those places, it wasn’t a coup as such but a demonstration to show that the people aren’t going to take it. See how Hong Kong became a less free corrupt country. It was the people who rose up to challenge the chief of police.