Hon. Farah Dagogo, a former member of the Home of Representatives and governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Celebration in Rivers State within the 2023 elections, speaks with DENNIS NAKU on this interview. Dagogo, an ally of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, recounts his arrest and 63-day detention following a disagreement with ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, and his current discharge and acquittal of all prison expenses by the courtroom a fortnight in the past. Excerpts:
Now that you simply’re a free man. Are you able to share the incidents within the build-up to on April 28, 2022, on the venue of the governorship screening train?
Earlier than I reply this query, let me crave your indulgence to start out from my freedom and all those that stood up and fought for a simply trigger, once they might have merely regarded the opposite means. This battle and wrestle for my freedom was fought and borne by an entire lot of individuals. It’s then trite to first acknowledge and salute, as soon as extra, the efforts and help put in by these folks whereas the entire saga lasted. My depth of appreciation extends to the pinnacle of my authorized group and different members of the revered authorized occupation, from Bayelsa and Lagos states, to Abuja and people within the diaspora, who not solely gave quantitative recommendation however have been upright and fought for a simply trigger.
I need to additionally profusely and profoundly and with all sense of utmost humility, thank the galaxy of women and men, young and old, civil society organisations, the noble bearers of the Fourth Property of the Realm, pupil our bodies, members of the medical practitioners, my esteemed colleagues then on the Nationwide Meeting, pals, associates, followers, folks of my constituents, veracious minds of the New Media, the Ijaw Nationwide Congress, the Ijaw Youth Council, the diaspora our bodies, distinguished little children of the Niger Delta area, astute politicians, worldwide our bodies, varied socio-political teams, the clergies, my workers and so many extra that stood up for this fact and equity that this courtroom has lastly given us. The record is solely infinite and inexhaustible. My apologies if there are any omissions.
My appreciation
You see and to place it succinctly, these acts of valour by these teams of individuals and our bodies conform with the spirit and concepts of one of many biggest of all French writers, Voltaire, the pseudonym utilized by Francois Marie Arouet, who vigorously way back to the seventeenth Century, propagated the necessity to safeguard harmless individuals from the claws of tyrannical leaders, who’re averse to opposite opinions, particularly these which might be at variance with their self-serving pursuits. That gave beginning to the now evergreen Voltaire’s quote: “It’s higher to danger saving a responsible man than to sentence an harmless one.”
Now what transpired? I actually would have most well-liked to not speak about it, as a result of all that occurred is now previously. Nevertheless, for the sake of posterity, it wouldn’t be honest to permit one facet of the story to run. Sure, an entire lot of individuals have spoken in my defence once I was in incarceration, so from the horse’s mouth, let me amplify it. I used to be arrested and incarcerated on barefaced lies. The actual fact stays that there was no disruption of any sort earlier than, throughout and after the stated the PDP nationwide and state assemblies screening train. That train commenced from the twenty seventh of April until the wee hours of April twenty eighth. The entire train was peaceable. Journalists have been there. Your colleagues coated the screening train. Was there really any disruption? Why was there this unholy silence from the mainstream media? No single image or video of the supposed violence that was in some way linked to me on this jet age of mass media! How did I even change into the purpose of debate? I used to be by no means there on the aforementioned day. I wasn’t contesting for any legislative positions. So how did I get entangled and roped right into a non-existent disruption? I used to be a governorship aspirant! I used to be contesting for the governorship place and was arrested on the venue of the governorship main. It was all pre-planned to take me out of circulation as a result of I had completed my homework and was certain of victory. They have been all trumped-up expenses. That was why these individuals who connived and went as far, of their useless bid to bolster their lies on my orchestrated incarceration, debased even the sanctum of the Lord, not forgetting their well-documented, blasphemous and heretical speak. But, when the onus was upon them, they have been unable to show their case in courtroom.
The judgment
In exonerating me of all expenses, the choose, Justice Chiwendu Nwogu, in his ruling, stated, “Justice will not be just for the state, it is usually for the defendant, whose freedom has been restricted because the graduation of this swimsuit on 9/5/2022. What I see within the prosecution is a whole lack of tempo to prosecute this case any longer. The dexterity on the a part of the prosecution to prosecute this case is not there, however gone, therefore the resort to the purposes for these quite a few adjournments.”
That assertion within the ruling additional reinforces the clear perception held by me and different rational thinkers that it was all politically induced. Keep in mind, at some extent throughout this trial, I used to be dropped at courtroom in an unconscious state, how come the “full lack of tempo” by the prosecutor when it now mattered most? It is because if you try and construct one thing on a defective basis, it’s simply akin to constructing one thing on nothing. When that basis is defective, no construction can endure. So rightly, I used to be discharged and acquitted for lack of diligent prosecution.
You spent 63 days as a Nationwide Meeting member in detention earlier than you have been granted bail and one other two years of authorized wrangling earlier than you have been discharged and acquitted. What have been the teachings learnt and, utilizing your ordeal as a case research, how does it assist our democratic governance within the side of the rule of legislation?
There needs to be penalties for abuse of energy, as skilled in my case and others additionally within the public area. I contemplate it one other sober reflection on our democratic journey to this point. As a means of shifting additional, I’m tempted to pose the next questions: Have we realised the true tenets of democracy? Is there any significant distinction between what we at present follow and anarchism? Why are revolutionary pressures and emotions of dissatisfaction all over the place? Let me state unequivocally that democracy as practiced immediately in Nigeria nonetheless has a protracted path to effectivity. The important thing dividends of democracy, specifically liberty, rule of legislation, virile electoral course of, sovereignty of the folks, independence of the judiciary, majority rule, minority rights, constitutional limits on authorities, freedom of affiliation and expression, social, financial, and political pluralism, and values of tolerance, pragmatism, cooperation, and compromise are very a lot ineffective in our polity and are subverted. Our nation’s first President and sage, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, prophetically warned about this, when he stated, “With out respect for the rule of legislation permeating our political life, Nigeria would degenerate right into a dictatorship with its twin family of tyranny and despotism.” Is that not relatable to our Nigeria of immediately? Even American former President, Barack Obama, posited that Africa has sturdy people instead of establishments. It’s true with Nigeria as a result of we appear to have people, particularly state governors which might be stronger than the establishments of the state. To get out of this dungeon, we should restructure and strengthen the establishments. The overbearing dictatorship of presidency energy should be halted.
Would you be exploring additional authorized choices, contemplating the way you have been arrested and denied participation within the governorship main? Do you nurse any grievances in direction of all these you believed plotted towards you?
I’m a Christian, an excellent illustration of that. I consider every little thing in life is fated, and certain to be. I try to study from the outcomes and maintain it to coronary heart. In line with Confucius in his now widespread quote, “Earlier than you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” Is that actually needed? Wouldn’t it make our state develop and prosper? I remorse nothing as a result of I consider that was how God had destined it. As the nice Martin Luther King Jr. as soon as stated, “We should settle for finite disappointment, however we must not ever lose hope. Solely on this means lets stay with out the fatigue of bitterness and the drain of resentment.”
Let me reiterate what was already scripted in our Bible, Ephesians 4:31-32; “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, together with all malice. Be sort to 1 one other, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, as God in Christ forgave you.” With all this in thoughts, let me for the umpteenth time say that I’ve forgiven all transgressions and injustice towards me and moved on. Sure, there are judicial choices very open to me: violation and abuse of my basic human rights, illegal arrest, malicious and prison prosecution, illegal and unjustified detention, and plenty of extra. There are determined circumstances to that impact that I do know might help it if I selected that path. For example, within the case of Ozide & Ors. Vs Ewuzie & Ors. (2015) LPELR – 24482 CA, the courtroom held that “The legislation is trite, that damages in compensation, legally and naturally comply with each act of violation of a citizen’s basic proper.” See Part 35 (6) of the 1999 Structure, as amended OSIL Ltd Vs Balogun & Ors. (2013) ALL FWLR (pt.677) 653. One other cited instance was the case of Jim-Jaja Vs C.O.P. Rivers State (2013) 22 WRN 39 at 56, the Supreme Courtroom held, “A group studying of Sections 35 (6) and 46 (2) of the Structure (supra) will give impact to the precept of Ubi Jus ibi remedium. By Sections 35 and 46 of the Structure, basic rights issues are positioned on the next pedestal than abnormal civil issues, through which a declare for damages ensuing from a confirmed damage must be made particularly and proved. As soon as the appellant proved violation of his basic proper by the respondents, damages, within the type of compensation and even apology, ought to have adopted.”
These are choices I might have pursued however, as I stated, I’ve forgiven all transgressions towards me. My identify has been cleared. I by no means dedicated what I used to be accused of. If I select to proceed pursuing it, it’s the state that might undergo for it and, by extension, the folks. I’ll undoubtedly get a beneficial judgment for compensation, however to whose detriment? The folks, after all. The nation and the states are bleeding because it have been, and I don’t want to add extra burden.
Was there any type of assist from Governor Siminalayi Fubara that aided your exoneration?
No. If you’re asking if there was a political understanding, completely nothing of such. I by no means had any dialogue with the governor or his emissaries. The judgment was clear as a result of what they accused me of have been lies, they couldn’t defend it in courtroom. The case ran its course. However once more, I believe a very powerful factor is I’ve been totally cleared of all expenses, that’s paramount.
Many individuals have been shocked to see that you simply nonetheless supported and voted for all PDP candidates within the 2023 basic election, particularly that of the Rivers State governorship election. Why did you do this?
I’m a dedicated and true celebration man. I’ve been in a position to characterize my folks at each the state and Nationwide Assemblies and the automobile that conveyed me to that top was the PDP. I selected to recollect the great instances at my most pained time once I knew that the PDP Nationwide management took sides and didn’t act on my unjust disenfranchisement when the celebration clearly had the powers to proper the wrongs completed to me. If I had turned towards my celebration then, an entire lot would see the advantage of my causes. Nonetheless, I didn’t permit that unwarranted injustice to becloud me and get in the way in which. I did my half and did it justly. That’s what a superb celebration man, a superb sportsman would exhibit, particularly when issues should not going your means, at all times bear in mind the great instances.
Previous to the PDP main of 2022, you had pledged, if elected governor, to work with the state Meeting in vacating the perpetual injunction on the state’s funds by welcoming anti-graft companies to have a look at the books. Is your deliberate transfer just like Governor Fubara’s plan to analyze the tenure of the instant previous governor and people of the 23 native authorities chairmen whose tenure simply elapsed?
What is nice for our expensive state is accountability for the folks of the state, to know the way our commonwealth, our shared patrimony was managed by these saddled with these duties. It requires a really sturdy political will. As Mao Tse-tung was quoted to have stated in his manifesto written in July 1919, “Heaven and earth are aroused, the traitors and the depraved are put to flight. Ha! We all know it! We’re woke up! The world is ours, the nation is ours, and the society is ours. If we don’t communicate, who will communicate? If we don’t act, who will act? If we don’t stand up and combat, who will stand up and combat?”
The governor has to transcend a panel of inquiry. He ought to implore the state Meeting to vacate the perpetual injunction on the investigation of the state’s funds in order that graft our bodies just like the EFCC, ICPC and others can have entry to our books. Via this, the monetary rascality of most public officeholders who see the state funds as their very own and spend it impiously with out parts of frugality and budgetary self-discipline could be stopped. That blocking of economic leakages is a vital think about saving our state and placing a cease to the sinister dictatorship of 1 organ of presidency which nearly makes the pinnacle of that establishment a suzerain, as she or he willingly makes use of the commonwealth as a spoil to the detriment of different organs of presidency.
As a stakeholder within the state, what’s your tackle the political upheaval between the camps of Governor Fubara and ex-Governor Nyesom Wike?
I believe this needs to be a time to be circumspect. As politicians, is the well-being of the folks our main focus? The state has misplaced so much and with the present political upheaval, the state is struggling extra. I believe if we imply effectively as politicians for the well-being and development of our expensive state, considerations needs to be extra on how our state ought to develop and never be stifled by these unhelpful distractions. Elections have come and gone, from the nationwide to the states, we’ve folks constitutionally and legally recognised manning these positions. We’ve no alternative however to simply accept the implications of the end result of the final election. Whereas we await one other spherical of elections in 2027, it’s incumbent to help the federal government of the day, each federal and state. So in Rivers State, I’ll urge all these fanning these political embers of conflict to sheath their swords and rein of their supporters and followers, as a result of whether or not we prefer it or not, Rivers State can solely thrive in a peaceable environment, the place buyers could be assured of stepping in.
What’s your subsequent political step and together with your most well-liked candidate within the final presidential election and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, nonetheless nursing ambition of re-contesting, will you continue to help him?
The following spherical of elections continues to be distant. On the acceptable time, I’ll make my intentions recognized. I’m a dedicated and devoted celebration man and my help for Atiku Abubakar has not withered. For now, let’s deal with governance and see how we are able to proceed contributing our quota by constructively criticising these holding our mandate in belief. As it’s now, it’s crystal clear to all of us that the financial system is biting exhausting, will probably be very insensitive to be discussing 2027 with all of the pains, sufferings and starvation within the nation.