NIGERIANS, ARISE AND DIE!... - Adeniyi Akintola SAN

Chief Adeniyi Akintola, SAN

The seniour Legal icon, Bencher and International Arbitrator Adeniyi Akintola, SAN had charged Nigerians to have in them the spirit
of a true nationalist and be ready to stand up to challenge all evil and defend what is right.

Akintola made this known at a public lecture organized by Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State on Thursday, with the title: 'The role of Law in the Political Challenges in Nigeria: Where we were, where we are and where we are going" where he was the guest speaker.

From the left: Prof. Mathew Ojo Chief Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, Hon. Justice (Mrs.) Boyede Akintola, Akeem Aponmade

In attendance was the Vice Chancellor of the School, Prof. Matthew Olatunji Ojo, The Oluwo of Iwo land-in-council, High Court and Appeal Court Justices, Mr. Akeem Aponmade, who chaired the occassion and several other dignitaries, academicians and scholars.

Akintola vide the lecture appraised the Nigerian historical background; pre-colonial era, the colonial era and the post-colonial era. He analyzed the system of government and constitutional regimes practiced in Nigeria overtime, their advantages, disadvantages and prospects.

He assessed and decried the ethnic, religious and ideological differences that had ravaged the country which had caused a lot of retrogression to the country's greatness, he was of the opinion that Nigerians should respect their ethnic, religious and sociological differences rather than advocate that we tolerate same. Akintola, believes that a Yoruba man who goes to Igbo or Hausa land should respect the culture, religion and ways of life the territory where he is not of the origin or tribe, vice versa.

The seniour legal icon also assessed the roles of Nigerian government and Nigerian citizens. He analysed some points of similarities and differences on governance as obtainable in Nigeria and some foreign countries. He condemned the trends of campaign of the average Nigerian politicians in the following words;

"It's only in Nigeria and other falling nations that prompt payment of workers salaries is a campaign agendum. I have seen a Ward councilor aspirant's campaign poster with 24 hours uninterrupted power supply as manifesto. when on sees bogus claims as this, one cannot but pity the citizenry who presently care less"

Akintola decried the neglect of the dreams and aspirations of the founders and foremost builders of Nigeria as a nation, he believed non of the builders and founding fathers of Nigeria can look back from their grave today and seeing Nigerian's present condition, will not cry. He posited that "many sacrificed their lives for the greatness and peace of this country, yet, can we say the greatness and peace had been achieved?".

Assessing the Justice system and prosecution of crimes by law enforcement agencies in Nigeria, Akintola believes that the publicity and media trial of offenders is doing more evil than good to our country's justice system. he criticized the 'rush-to-arrest' and 'rush-to-court' syndrome associated with Nigerian Law Enforcement Agencies. He believes no arrest should be carried out and prosecution made if no thorough investigation had been made. He made reference to system obtainable in the United States and most advanced nations where they do not rush. He emphasized that in those nation, investigation alone may take six or more years without a single arrest and the person been investigated would not know he is been investigated, but when the tsunami finally erupts over that criminal and he is  finally arrested and prosecuted, such criminal normally do have no choice than plea guilty because of the gargantuan nature and enormousity of evidence with which he will be accosted. Therefore the stress and time of prosecutorial burden of proving guilt of such criminal is saved.

On corruption, Akintola condemned public servants who buries money in their homes, freezers, grave yards, soak-away and other unimaginable places. he advocated for the support for the fight of corruption by the current Nigerian leadership and implore states executive to follow suit by domestication of all relevant laws that will enhance same and ensure justice in the land.

Akintola recommended a Corrupt-free Nation, Reduction in the Cost of Governance, a Secured Nation, True Leadership and Patriotic Citizenry as the way out of the current woes of the nation.

He finally urged all Nigerians to be alive to responsibilities, challenge bad leaders and all the ills of the nation:

"I beseech you all to rise up, challenge all the evil in the land, if you are always afraid to challenge things that are bad for this nation because you dont want to die, when will you not die? instead of dying installmentally, why not die once as a true hero? to be great in life you have to be stubborn and all-out for a course, people must complain of your over-zealousness for that course... take up the challenge, be ready to die for that course, my good people, rise up and die!" he concluded.

Decoration of Adeniyi Akintola, SAN by the DVC of Bowen

Upon the rousing ovation that sealed the conclusion of the lecture, Akintola was awarded and also decorated as a member of Bowen University.


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