The Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police Force on 24 June, 2021 issued a press statement in respect of the suspected murder of Super TV CEO, Mr. Michael Usifo Ataga on 15 June, 2021. Immediately after the news broke, videos of the media events started trending online. The video that supposedly meant to accompany the press release became an interrogation session by newsmen, ostensibly supervised by the police authorities. That incident of media trial of course, couldn’t have been the sole initiative of the state command, but with the blessing of the national headquarters. Somehow, this media trial has become the new normal in recent times, from states to the headquarters in Abuja.
In fact, the force spokesperson in his own right has conducted such media exercises purportedly to show the extent of police capability in ensuring security of lives and property. Of course, that is essentially the major duty of the police, especially internal security. However, in any major security operations, methods and sources are very critical and usually remain classified until the investigations are concluded. This new police style flies in the face of such security strategy and operational requirements and below international best practices.
Equally amazing is that many of the senior police officers involved in this bizarre action are beneficiaries of one form of training or the other from the best traditions in policing duties, especially at Quantico Training Academy, Virginia, USA. I am told that this kind of media trial is not one of those courses taken at the academy, but can best be described as “policing with Nigerian characteristics.”
Just two examples will suffice to demonstrate that policing can be quite effective without media trial and parade. Two popular Nigerians were recently arrested in the U.S. for various offences. No media trial or parade has been conducted by the FBI. The investigations were concluded and the dockets sealed. It was only after they arrived in the US, arrested and put before the judges were the case files unsealed for the public to know the details of the case. Police shot or mugshot are what people see, thus formally indicating custodial indictment and arrest.
I do understand our peculiarities, where there is deficit of trust in our security services, but things should be done in a way that will enhance such trust and not abridge the rights of suspects by turning press conferences into media trials where journalists would start asking questions from suspects that ought to be asked by the police investigators. If such media interrogation is not a practical example of abdication of responsibility, I really do not know how to describe it. Media trials are anachronistic and primitive and put suspects in difficult situations. In the society where the jury system is part of the criminal justice administration, it would be difficult to get an impartial jury with such media sensations.
Meanwhile, my thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the deceased. This is certainly a painful and troubling period for them considering the circumstances of the death. While there have been many opinions on the whys and hows, my take is that a grievous mistake was made by the victim, especially associating with the suspect, apparently without due diligence, but he did not deserve to die for any reason whatsoever. It is callous, insane and devilish. I would wish that he were alive to have the opportunity to correct the mistake or tell his own side of the story.
Therefore, let us allow the family to bear their burden. But this incident has just thrown open again the conversation over the desirability or otherwise of the painful joy of satellite marriages, be it within the country or across the seas for whatever reasons. The temptation would always be there for a man or even a woman to stray when the partner or spouse is not immediately available, especially those active spouses. The irony is that the incident happened some days before father’s day. Lessons must be learnt. We should not judge the victim. Let him who is without sin cast the first stone. Don’t get caught in the act is the constant refrain. We are not saints, but sinners in one form or the other.
Equally, my prayers go out to the family of the suspect, Chidinma. I am sure, all that is happening is still in the realm of nightmare, they believe it will disappear the next day. It is indeed a reality going by the accounts of the act by Chidinma. They have played their part in her upbringing and the rest is for her to carry her cross from now on depending on the outcome of the impending trial. They should be allowed to grieve without media assaults. We have seen cases in the recent past where wards of elites in the society pursued certain pathways or courses that are at variance with acceptable societal norms without the knowledge of their parents. Ironically, the families still visit them in prison notwithstanding the inglorious act.
Moreover, the young lady is a product of her society. Perhaps, just perhaps the gentleman would still have been alive if he did not meet the young lady and arranged the rendezvous. All the posts condemning her actions are justifiable, no doubt. However, she remains a suspect until proven guilty. Moreover, she didn’t go to the gentleman’s house to kill him in the presence of his family. Just a thought for the family of Chidinma while we keep verbalizing and giving our opinions on what would have been.
Mr Oloko writes from Lagos, Nigeria
