When last week I wrote about unresolved murders probably masterminded by political considerations, the most prominent figure whose assassination was cited was the late Chief Bola Ige. He was an ebullient politician, an orator, a redoubtable debater and perhaps the most colourful politician in the South West at the time he was killed. Today, as was the refrain then, the question remains: who killed Bola Ige?
Little did I know last Sunday that the question would prop up during the screening of ministers by the Senate. As the ministerial nominee from Osun State appeared before the upper legislative chamber, the question was asked from the most unexpected quarter. Senator Uzamere who had just defected from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had to fight to put the poser to the nominee. He wanted to know what role Awosiyan played in the sensational murder. He wanted to know why the man had been linked with Ige’s murder. He wanted to know why the man was detained for more than three years for allegedly enlisting the men who pumped hot lead into the Cicero of Esa Oke.
Some PDP Senators, in sympathy with the man and invoking party solidarity, tried to shield the nominee from answering the billion dollar question. The more they tried to do so, the more Uzamere insisted. Awosiyan, as could be expected, denied. His supporters in the Senate said he could not be sworn on the Quran, but he said he would not mind if one could be found. He said he had no reason to kill Ige who was his mentor. He said Ige had sponsored his education and was a benefactor to his entire family. He then gave way to emotion. The man cried.
The point here is not whether he was actually guilty as charged. Uzamere probably knew that could not be achieved at that point. His objective must have been to tell the world that the matter would not die until the criminals are apprehended and put through the mill of justice. The Senator wanted the world to know that Awosiyan had, at a point, been linked with the high-profile assassination of the former Attorney General of the Federation. He probably wanted to remind the security forces that the matter could never be swept under the carpet; that it is one case whose file should never be closed until the killers are found. And he achieved that much.
Those of us who believe in justice and believe that injustice to one is injustice to all, owe Uzamere gratitude for bringing up the matter. Does it really matter is Awosiyan sails through? In any case, having been freed by the law, unless there is fresh evidence linking him to the death, he cannot be stopped on that score. However, it is not only in the interest of Ige’s political associates and the general public that the murderers be unveiled. It is in the interest of all those mentioned and detained for the murder, too. Until the killers are unmasked, they remain suspects in the eyes of the public.
Who killed Ige? To what avail? Who was so desperate to ensure that Ige did not mount the soap box to campaign against the PDP? Why and on whose instruction did the Police arrest some mad men alongside strong suspects perhaps to discredit the entire investigation process and set the stage for setting all suspects free? Did the Oyo State government diligently handle the case? Given the fact that he was still a top official of the federal government at the time, did the Obasanjo administration do enough to get to the root of the matter?
It is a shame that Ige and Obasanjo were such good friends. He was a great fighter while alive. His wife could not believe that such a cruel fate could befall her darling husband. From the way she saw the prosecution of suspects handled, she lost the will to live. She simply gave up on the Nigerian society. As a judge of the Court of Appeal, she knew the prosecution could not obtain justice the way the matter was being tried. It was no surprise when she died in the process. The woman died.
More than a decade after, the assassins must think it is all over. They are now occupying important offices in the land. They are preparing for even more important ones at different levels. We may not know who killed Ige; at least for now. The courts may not be in position to pronounce anyone guilty. The Police may be unwilling to arrest and arraign the real killers again. The state, in view of the masterminds and backers of the crime may be unable to institute thorough probe into the matter. But, it must be observed that what man cannot see, God can. Whom man cannot apprehend, God, the ultimate judge, will. Only a myopic person would believe that the matter is over. It is not. Ige fought all through life. Even now, he continues to fight. And, victory is certain.
The struggle for a better Nigeria definitely continues.
