NIGERIA'S JUSTICE SYSTEM

Over the years, one has come to wonder and ponder on the efficiency of our justice system. This efficiency is questioned especially when the recklessness of political office holders are brought to bear. The judicial system has become a tea party and an auction centre for freedom; where the highest bidder gets the most favorable judgment.

We were always made to believe that the court is the last hope of the common man. That
means if a common man finds himself at the receiving end of the manipulation of a powerful
individual or group of people (including political parties) that seeks to deprive him of some
valuable rights, possession or jeopardise his interest in any way, that citizen could confidently
seek redress from the courts, which will ultimately ensure that justice is done to him in the
matter. This definitely is not the situation. The cost of prosecuting the litigation in the first place is
outlandish and prohibitive. Justice seems to be an alien in the Nigerian court system.

From election tribunal cases, to fund misappropriation to killings, yet the perpetrators of these crimes are set free, either on the pretence of bail and the case never comes up again or the court simply declares "he has no case to answer".

Sadly, it is in our country where our judicial system condemns a "petty thief" and celebrates a "chronic, hardened criminal". The difference between these teo sets of criminals in most cases is the mode through which they perpetrate their crimes. Most of the "petty thieves" steal as little as foodstuffs in the market and are made to do jail terms, while those who either steal with their pens or sponsor individuals to perpetrate evil are made to walk about freely.

I therefore ask; do we indeed have a judicial system or are we operating a "freedom bidding centre" strictly for criminals? Is our judiciary actually protecting the masses or are they protecting a few criminals in the society?

A case study of recent happenings should have us thinking really. An ex governor has been sentenced to 13 years in prison in Britain for financial crimes; how long would he have gotten if in Nigeria? Would he get more than 6 months that is if the case would not be thrown out on the basis of "lack of merit". A former speaker of the House of Reps was accused of stealing over N4 billion, can someone please tell me what happened to the case?

The most annoying thing in this whole mess is the fact that during court cases you find so called supporters going to render support to a criminal. Even the criminal will be clad with agbada, smiling and waving, never a sign of seriousness or remorse.

I believe that someday, we would experience change in the country, where the opinion of the common man will no longer be buried in the grounds of irrelevance but would be upheld for the sake of justice.

I am a Nigerian, we are all Nigerians, lets help better Nigeria.

LOVE, SEX & MONEY

What is L.O.V.E?

I have come to realise that the meaning of love is dynamic; dynamic in the sense that it does not have a single meaning. The various meaning given to the word LOVE is as a result of the differences in individual perspectives. While some see LOVE as not only a word but also a feeling, others see LOVE as a mere excuse to woo another for self pleasure and satisfaction. Some do not even believe in LOVE.

Personally, i believe in the existence of LOVE, however, i also believe that LOVE is not for kids. So many teenagers and young people say "I love you" without knowing what it means. Most of them say this because of a temporary feeling at that time. This feeling is usually INFACTUATION and not love.
I see LOVE as a feeling of communion between two people. A feeling of oneness, of unity and of passion.
It is not a feeling by mouth, but a feeling by heart. Not a head feeling, but a "soul" feeling. I see LOVE as a unique flavour of happiness.

Sex is the intercourse between two people. It can also be a way of expressing love. However, not every sexual activity is seen as love making. Love making is a deeper form of sex, it is sex with passion and not sex as a mere activity or fulfuilment of urges.

As for money, i want to ask; 'Can there be love without money?"