IN MEMORY OF ALUU4

Where did our human emotions go?

        In recent times, we have witnessed the gruesome murder of so many Nigerians all in the name of jungle justice. In Port Harcourt, a few weeks ago, four young men named ugonna, Lloyd, chiadika and tekena, all students of the University of Port Harcourt were brutally murdered in broad daylight by a group of people who took it upon themselves to carry out judgment on the innocent boys.

         I watched the video of the murder and I wept for those boys and their families, and then I asked myself, where did our human emotions go? I can barely kill a rat, let alone club another human to death. 

         The Latin maxim audi alterem paterm translates ‘no man shall be condemned unheard’. We live in a society governed by law, the law imposes sanctions for different crimes and the police have the duty to incarcerate and then the court can give the appropriate sentence. We should be educated enough to allow the criminal justice system play their part, and we should not take the law into our own hands because where there is no law, there is chaos.

        This right is also protected by the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria; a man is innocent until proven guilty. The United Nations declaration on human rights also provides to this effect. This is the year 2012 for crying out loud, we should be civilized.

        After peaceful protests in Port Harcourt, this horrible act repeated itself again in Lagos and warri. Some people were lynched for minor crimes; this just goes to show that jungle justice has become a part of our system. I believe that the only way we can be rid of it in our society is if there is a law banning such acts along with serious sanctions. This may go a long way to deter anyone who intends to take the law into his or her hands.

       In the words of Mr. incredible ‘feels like I stood there watching

                 The pain the brutal torture

   And added my silence to the violent screams

              Of; burn and torch em. How do you earn misfortune?

              Or does it come unbidden? If life’s a painted portrait,

              Who puts the dark colors in them? If there’s a GOD in heaven

          Surely he’s weeping now. As all the blood is shedding

         And all his people drown. GOD help us all 

         Rest in peace chidi, rest in peace Lloyd

       Rest in peace tekena, rest in peace ugonna