Governor Uzodinma And The Law

MAZI EJIMOFOR OPARA

If there is any Governor in modern Nigerian history, after Mr Peter Obi, who has enjoyed the full appurtenances of judicial supremacy and superiority it is Dist. Senator Hope Uzodinma – my Governor.

What is evident with his emergence as the de jure Governor of Imo State is the manifest ability of the law to potently take its full course irrespective of invidious public opinion. His coming is a curve in our democratic consolidation wherein the Law is not just to be respected, but must be seen to be respected.

• The noise and shock of this unique occurrence is sure expected to reverberate for a long time, and even years after his earthly sojourn. This is why there are “Locus Classicus” in Law. Anambra enjoyed it under Peter Obi. Imo is enjoying same under Uzodinma.

On the raging debate over the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) assented to by Governor Hope over six months ago. I have read opinions and counter opinions. Of course the Facebook Lawyers and Judges have declared their “All knowing” opinion on the issue. This is expected.

While I await clarifications from constituted authorities, I find the comment below from my erudite friend and brother, Ezeokenwa Jr Sly – the National Legal Adviser of APGA – apt and satisfying;

“…they aren’t showing you the full text of the law ostensibly for mischievous purposes. Detention at the Governor’s pleasure is a normal provision in every criminal procedure law for convicted offenders who are adjudged to be of unsound mind or lunatics. It sounds irrational for any person to assume or remotely posit that a Governor can wake up and order the detention of a person unilaterally. Such law will obviously be in conflict with the Constitution”.

On this above submission I would rest my case for now.

– Mazi Ejimofor writes from Awka, Anambra State