JUDGEMENT FOR SALE: URHOBO LOST.

By Jetevu Martins

Those who hold the belief that “the court is the only hope for the common man” have to rethink where the hope of the common man truly lies. This is because the poor man has had his hope dashed many times by the same institution that is supposed to be an anchor of hope. Today, we have seen that even the social media offers more hope to the poor in Nigeria than the court. However this hope is restricted to a voice which certainly may not be long, because there are plans underway to effect stiff ‘regulations’ on social media-an attempt to silence the poor. In other climes, the common man may seek redress in court, but certainly not Nigeria. The court in Nigeria is the paradise of those with fat pockets. This is not just another opinion of a freelancer, but evidence abound to support the fact that a poor man in Nigeria can never get justice. To the rich, why hire a lawyer when you can buy a judge? Alternatively, why seek evidence when you can buy judgement for yourself?Although the poor and the weak suffer untold oppressions, if they associate themselves with the powerful or decide to form leagues with others, together, they become strong to defend themselves. For this reason, nations and communities form unions for the support and protection of members. For instance, the African Union, European Union, Arab League officially known as League of Arab States, NATO etc. And at the local level, we have such unions like Urhobo Progress Union, (UPU), Arewa Consultatve Forum (ACF), the Afenifere, the recent Igbo National Uniion Worldwide INU-W, to mention a few. The UPU being one of the oldest unions in Nigeria, nearly a century old in establishment, has over the years through its leadership, promoted the Urhobo heritage and preserved the sovereignty of the Urhobo nation. The likes of Chief Mowoe Mukoro, Chief Omohwovo Okoro, Chief John Okpodu, Chief Jabin Obahor etc, who were the founding fathers of the Union fought vehemently to defend the sovereignty of the Urhobo nation and its territories. Other successive leaders also prioritized the interest of the Urhobo nation over personal gains. One was proud to identify with the UPU under the leadership of these patriots. Yes, one was proud to be an Urhobo man. Times have changed. Things have fallen apart and in the words of Chinua Achebe, “The centre can no longer hold”. What has become of the UPU?. The Urhobo nation is gradually being decimated and her territory shrinking under her watch. Today, the story is either Fulani herdsmen sacking urhobo communities or the ijaw neighbours confiscating their lands. The other day, it was Otuama community. Today, it is Aladja Community. Other Urhobo Communities, like Ophoribala, Okwagbe, Ayama, Epame etc have had their share of the unslaught from their Ijaw neighbours. Who knows whose turn it would be tomorrow? This is quite worrisome not just to the Urhobo people, but other ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta. But even more worrisome is the fact that as Urhobo land bleeds, their leaders are busy pallying and rallying around the aggressors to secure political appointments. Who has bewitched us? Aladja Community fought with their Ijaw neighbours over land ownership for decades. The fight started with Ogbe-ijoh, who, using the power of the gun, could not defeat Aladja. Isaba also tried with the same weapon and lost out completely. But as the saying goes, “three Gs- gun, government and God rule the world”. Having experienced a woeful defeat using the first ‘G’, the Ijaws resorted to the second G-the government. With their fat pokects and influence over both the State and Federal governments, they continue to get political and legal decisions in their favour. The recent one being the Isaba case with Aladja, wherein they purchased judgement from the court. In their quest to suppress Aladja and confiscate their lands the entire Ijaw nation rallied around their own. They provided both covert and overt supports. To them, an injury to one is an injury to all and victory for one is victory for all. Aladja on the other hand, was left alone to carry her cross. While Aladja may be considered to have lost a case, the ultimate loser is the Urhobo nation, because two Urhobo communities have been ceded to the Ijaw nation. However, it is pertinent to remind the oppressors that their fat pockets can only buy them the first and second ‘gs’, the third ‘G’ is impartial and cannot be bought over with fat pockets.