I chose to hold my peace when the story of Ese Oruru, the 14 year old who was abducted and enslaved in an illegal marriage by her abductor broke out.
It wasn’t because I had nothing to say but because there were too many emotions at war within me. I wanted to play the blame game but I realized that blaming either Ese or the parents was not the way to go.
I couldn’t blame Ese because after all, what could a 13 yr old know and the parents because the vicissitudes of life may compel one to act in a manner that may be against one’s best judgment.
Why am I speaking out now? Because I still can’t shake off the need to blame all those who handled this situation for the glaring mess they have made of it.
I was at a symposium organized by the Government of Ondo State, the theme of which was “Curtailing the Centrifugal Forces in Nigeria” at which one of the speakers asked “what is the value of the Nigerian’s life?”
Everyone who touched this case messed up. From the government of Bayelsa to the Police of Bayelsa, Abuja and Kano. From Dickson to Sanusi to Arase. They all messed up.
They put no value on the life of the poor child. They discounted her. They turned a blind eye to her travails. They could not empathize with the pains and anguish of her parents. They adjudged her worthless and therefore of no consequence.
Where were her representatives in the Houses of Assembly, the Representatives and the Senate? It is a pity that those who ought to look out for her are the ones who have willynilly acquiesced in her predicament.
The Governor of her state looked out only for his electoral concerns while the police in Bayelsa, Abuja and Kano were sufficiently intimidated by the stature of the Emir of Kano to turn a blind eye at such unpardonable criminality. Why then would a lawyer who is the Chief Security Officer of the nation look on so unconcernedly and throw his hands up so helplessly?
I chose to ignore the ignoble position of our otherwise respected friend and legal practitioner and self acclaimed human rights activist, even when I wondered how he could bear to behold himself in a mirror.
All the above made me bitter but now I am red hot angry!
My anger does not have anything to do with the fact that I am a lawyer but that I AM A FATHER. My anger erupted when I read that the Government of Bayelsa State issued a press statement thanking the Governor of Kano State and applauded security agencies for the “swiftness and professionalism” with which the matter was handled.
Hellooo, Governor Dickson, what manner of insipid political correctness motivated that statement? What purpose was it designed to achieve? Can you fathom the damage that has been done not only to the body but also the psyche of this poor young child?
Can you even begin to contemplate the depth of her grief? Can you imagine the extent of the stigmatization she will have to endure?
Now she’s five months pregnant!
She was raped at 13 and is 5 months gone by the time she attained 14 years of age in February this year!
Can any of these irresponsible people imagine their own daughters being this dehumanized?
Woe unto all who had a chance to help this girl but failed, neglected or refused to do so.
Haba! Let me announce to them all, there indeed is a God. May He visit them in His sore displeasure. [myad]
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