The story of Joachim Iroko aka Joe is an unfortunate
one. It’s a story of every Nigerian who has no authority or power. It’s our
everyday experience in the hands of someone better connected than us. It’s our
struggle against the tyranny and oppression from the affluent. It’s symbolizes how
our voice can be drown in the ocean of law. It’s a pathetic story of every one
of us.
Joe is an average Nigerian, a Nigerian that
struggles everyday to put foods on his family table. He has a wife and a kid
and he’s expecting another beautiful addition anytime soon. His living
condition is not one to be proud of. He’s simply struggling. Struggling to make
ends meet, in a country that is flowing with milk and honey but haunted by
corruption and poverty.
Joe, like every one of us is angry; angry
with the system and the past failures of our leaders. You know, Poverty breeds
anger. As a matter of truth, a lot of people are anger has its roots from
poverty. People are angry because there are meals to be paid for and there is
no money, angry because the school fees are fast approaching and there is no
money. We all are racing against time in a country that frustrates every
attempt to break even except you are highly connected.
Joe has a neighbor. A non-Nigerian whose
father’s name is BUHARI. Joe’s neighbor is not far-away from him. They share
the same floor in his rented face-me-I face-you apartment. Without anybody
telling us, we can deduce that Joe has been having constant issues with his neighbor.
Joe bought a dog and named it Buhari.
His neighbor was angry and he connived with
his friend a police officer to arrest Joe. Joe was charged with criminally
punishable offence described as “conduct likely to cause breach of peace”. He was
remanded in prison until he can perfect his bail bonds.
Reactions from Nigerians followed on social
media and print media. A lot of people are angry. People are screaming for his release.
It’s been a week full of activities from the pro and anti Joe’s judgment. Unfortunately,
despite the whole hullaballoo, the man, Joe, at the middle of this drama is
still cooling off in prison. His pregnant wife is an emotional wreck.
There are many lessons to learn from this
rather unfortunate but avoidable drama.
I must elaborate on the fact that If you are
an average Nigerian with little or no influence from a known authority, you
must learn to act in ways that will not bring you in contact with troubles. A
lot of times, we know that the just suffers unjustly because they have no voice
and we should avoid every means to be in such situation.
- The provision of the law is sovereign and at the same time, the law is blind. If Joe’s lawyer was able to prove to the court that Joe’s action was not premeditated and he didn’t act in a manner worthy of causing chaos, Joe’s wouldn’t be in the cell. Unfortunately, Joe’s doesn’t even have the means to hire a lawyer.
Joe’s complainant accused him of naming his
dog after his (complainant) father so that Joe can spite him. Joe on the other
hand, said he named the dog after the president because he loves the president
so much. Joe actually has enough point to exonerate himself had it been he has
the financial power to hire a competent lawyer to defend him. The question is,
how will a man who is barely surviving get money to hire a lawyer?
That is the predicament of most Nigerians languishing
in cells today. They are majorly innocent or the offence levelled against them
shouldn’t warrant keeping them behind bars but because they have no one to cry
to, they have been abandoned and neglected for years.
- We must learn to weigh all our actions and ask ourselves questions before taking any steps in moment of anger. Most times, it takes us more energy to clean up the mess of the things we do in our moments of anger. The regrets and pains of past deeds should not deprive us of the freedom we so much desire. If your actions will take away your freedom then, don’t do it.
- Time wasted on frivolities can actually be spent on better things. Joe’s action has brought him too many halts. His business has been affected, his pregnant wife is affected, his family is in disarray and his name written in the criminal offence book and so many unpalatable occurrences. He has spent more time and money trying to come out of the mess the whole drama has brought him.
At the end, I ask myself this simple
question, is it worth the pain? Can we
just pause in a moment of anger and ask ourselves again and again, is it worth
it?
