It is about a week now since Vijah Eldred Opuama has been detained by men of the Nigeria Police for an allegation of criminal defamation. Rumour has it that he allegedly defamed the Chief of Staff of Bayelsa State, hence, the arrest. I have patiently observed how Bayelsans have been reacting to the incident and I think in all sincerity that I should say these:

1. Vijah Eldred Opuama is a Nigerian, and as such, he is subject to the law of the land. He can be arrested for sure if a sound allegation is made against him with enough evidence to nail him.
2. However, the Police who arrested him is also subject to the same law of the land as NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW. The Nigeria Police is an agency of the Federal Government who is to serve justice and no individual person. Arrest, when done by the police, is to follow every professional ethics expected by an agency of the class. The police is not expected to be used by anybody for the purpose of intimidation and show of power. It is not supposed to be used as a tool by anybody. That is, what is professional of the police is that, even before arrest is to be made, investigation concerning that matter must have been concluded. This will lead to speedy arraignment. Invitation could be done before arrest for sure, but arrest comes when the food is done. What we have seen thus far shows that something is wrong somewhere. In that, about one week into his arrest, no arraignment has been done, neither has any charge been filed. This is unprofessional. If they are not ready to charge him to court, then why detain him?
3. Criminal defamation is not a Capital Offence. It is a simple Offence under our criminal jurisprudence. Therefore, even the magistrate court with summary jurisdiction has the power to try the offense. This by implication means that the offense is such that does not demand the length of detention observed. If anyone has a good case against him, let him be charged to court. If this is not done, it leaves us with the impression that his arrest is a simply a punishment for the recent battle against SOME POWERS THAT BE.
4. To our Ijaw youths: It is obvious that politics has replaced the blood of many of us. This is why we do not care about what happens to an Ijaw Youth like us. It is quite unfortunate that it is the youths that have been used as the soldiers to fight their fellow youths. Observe it very well, the elders in government hardly engage themselves, rather, they use the youths to fight and oppose themselves. Killings during the election is done by the youths; snatching of ballot boxes is done by the youths. Social media war is also the jobs of the youths now. That is what they see us to be good at.

I understand when you do the work of your pay-masters, but this should be done professionally. What I mean is that, we should not support injustice just because it is done by those who pay us, or by a political party we support. I have heard people say: “This is Politics “.

No, this is not politics. Using the police to intimidate is not politics, that is, if the police is truly influenced. It is simply a show of anger. Politics should be about engagements, intellectually, in many aspects. It is about selling ideas, policies and convincing the populace to believe them and accept them. Remember, we are all humans. If you are arrested because of your political stand, and refused to be charged to court, you will equally not like it. Remember, we all are Bayelsans, and irrespective of our stands, we should not support what we know is wrong. What wrong you will not like to befall you should not be wished to the next person. Politics should not take away our humanity.

Arresting Vijah on the day of his tribunal judgment sends out a wrong signal. It will lead to pointing of fingers. Some have said that he was initially invited, but he refused honouring the invitation, hence, the arrest. I can’t categorically affirm or deny that, however, that is not a justification of his detention without trial. Bottom line is that what he is accused of is not a Capital Offence. He could be released even on self recognition. More so, he contested as a Governor and should be accorded that respect.

Vijah has his right to liberty as a Nigerian and that should be respected.

Free Vijah Eldred Opuama.

By Ebi Robert

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