Re: Imprisonment in Nigeria: A Fate Worse than Death
My dear learned friend – Onikepo, Good day to you and all yours. I hereby extend to you copious congratulations upon your position as the current Anchor of
the law column: “THE ADVOCATE” in “THISDAY Weekly Pull-Out-LAWYER”. I wish you an outstanding tenure. It is quite fascinating that THISDAY has reserved that particular segment for brilliant female lawyers! Your predecessors and your goodself demonstrate literary competence in your articles. I say “Well done” to all of you.
I enjoy reading your articles. Your articulation of “Imprisonment in Nigeria: A fate worse than death” is a poignant master-piece. Your incisive prose and the “stomach-turning pictures of human beings packed together like sardines and lying half-naked on the floor were traumatising. My heart still aches whenever I see or remember the photographs.
No God’s creature, be it in Nigeria, or in Madagascar, or anywhere else, should be so tortured. I hope the authorities are reading and taking action. Meanwhile, I recommend that you keep the inhumane and horrific situation in focus in your writings.
Now, to some cheerful news – I am delighted to inform you that I will be 85 years old on Wednesday the 29th day of March, 2017. Deo Volente. I plan to present two books on that day at The Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Ibadan at 10 a.m. The titles of the books are:
• My Autograph – Reaching for the Stars – Updated Edition, and
• Selected Essays Issues and Papers on Law and Societal Issues. You are hereby invited to the event.
I pause to commend you on your smart and professional appearance in your photograph – a correct example to others – juniors and not so junior colleagues alike, as to what a lawyer should look like.
In closing, I forward herewith my Tribute to our late learned colleague, Chief Dele Aiku, SAN at the special court Session in his honour on the 15th day of February, 2017. “Resquiescat in pace”. Please, publish.
I look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you to my celebration. Kindly, use my publisher’s e-mail by which this letter is being sent to you.
With renewed felicitations and personal and professional compliments, I remain,
Yours fondly,
Chief ‘Folake Solanke SAN, OON, CON (PIP). B.A., Dip.Ed., FNIALS, LL.D (h.c
D.Litt(h.c.), D.Lit. (h.c.), D. Litt. (h.c.)
Good morning Ma,
How are you? Thank you very much for your email.
Firstly, I congratulate you on your 85th Birthday. My prayer for you continues to be "ki emi yin tun bo gun si, pelu ara li le ati alafia, ninu ayo, idunnu, anito ati aniseku loruko Jesu. Ami". Happy Birthday Ma. I must say that you are still so beautiful and charming at 85.
For me, you will always be an inspiration, the one and only 'Lady SAN', no matter how many other females attain the rank.
Therefore Ma, you can imagine how elated I was, when I received your email yesterday. Your stamp of approval, not only on my performance as The Advocate (and the performances of my predecessors), but on my being appropriately dressed as a legal practitioner (and showing good example to others, as regards being properly attired), coming from you, convinced me that indeed, I am on the right path. Thank you.
We shall, God willing, attend your Book Presentation on March 29th, 2017.
We shall feature your Eulogy to the late Chief Bandele Aiku, SAN. Permit me to also publish your email to me in my column. The world must see our accolade, coming from a person like you, whom I hold in such high esteem. Thank you again Ma. Much love and Best Personal Regards, Onikepo Braithwaite The Advocate Editor, ThisDay Lawyer Dear Editor, It is with a deep sense of admiration and respect that I write you Ma'm, concerning your column dated 28-2-2017 on the state of Nigerian Prisons. This has been a heavy burden on my soul and shoulders. The dilapidated state of our prisons. Within my reach, I have tried so hard to correct this menace alongside other vices that make my heart bleed, which include Jungle justice, oppression of transport workers and petty traders by men of the National Union Of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) cum Local Councils. Reading through your column I can depict the Christ-like nature in you Ma'm, your concern as a true patriot.
Having confronted these liabilities in the society which led to my arrest sometime ago, I was told that since I am not educated and without money, I would rot in jail. This experience propelled me and I have now chosen a name for my NGO which is yet to be registered due to the huge amount involved.
But it feels so good to know there is someone so passionate about the welfare of others, despite your pedigree. I doff my hat for you Ma'm and for also extending a hand of help to your two clients who were allegedly engaged in exam malpractice. Can't the Authorities be charged because they caused his death? Williams Keshi Dear Mr Keshi, Thank you for your encouraging email. I do hope the Authorities will do something about the disgusting state of the prisons.
As for my client who died as a result of his incarceration, I suppose his family could have sued. But Nigerians tend not to take action against the Authorities in cases like this. They simply wax lyrical and philosophical, saying that the occurrence is the will of God. I know several people whose houses were burnt down because of NEPA and their power surges, including houses belonging to lawyers. Not one of them sued NEPA or PHCN or whatever it is called these days, or held it responsible. This is the reason why our Authorities act with impunity, doing things that are below acceptable standards. There is no accountability. Hopefully, things will change one day! Editor