OGD And The Dual Burden Of Innocence
By Olaniyi Ajibola
One of the most captivating submissions of the late Uthman Dan fodio was the one speaking to the sanctity of truth and it’s sacredness. He said “, The conscience is an open wound and only the truth can heal it.”
A leading national newspaper in Nigeria has adopted the above maxim as it’s guiding principle in editorial judgement and reportage. This is to explain how deep and logical the postulation is in every human consideration.
It is against this backdrop that I consider the dramatic responses and reactions of the former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, to the accusations of building against the extant law of Ogun state as strange, inappropriate and too low, considering his personality and degree of exposure.
In as much as I am not a lawyer, I understand some basic legal doctrines and rudiments, one of which clearly considers evidence as the only ingredient of proving one’s innocence or otherwise on every issue and which the lawmaker has refused to do.
Also, it is indeed morally incorrect for a status like Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who is a former Governor of the State and serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to be running from pillar to pole with array of cheap propaganda and innuendoes instead of coming out clean and clear to prove Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning wrong on these accusations by submitting relevant documents proving the legality of his properties to the Ministry.
I do not think a pubic figure like Otunba Gbenga Daniel is not aware of this simple action to be taken as appropriate response to the controversy except he is hiding something from the government and the people of Ogun State.
Otunba Gbenga Daniel is presently carrying a legal burden of refusal to prove the legality of his properties in line with the extant laws of Ogun State to the appropriate authority as a lawful citizen.
Secondly, he is carrying the moral burden of hiding behind a finger on issue that requires evidence against accusation of infractions as a pubic figure who ordinarily should be an exemplary figure in the society.
The antics of smear campaign against the government of Ogun State and the personality of the Governor can not in anyway replace concrete evidence of legality, it can only diminish the integrity and dignity of the former Governor the more in the public space.
It should be noted that Governor Dapo Abiodun has a contract with the people of the state to always act in line with the dictates of the law at all times irrespective of the status that is involved, so, he is under statutory obligation to sanction any act of illegality.
Otunba Gbenga Daniel should also know that the court is not a save haven for illegality but a sanctuary of justice based on truth, therefore, running to court for cover instead of simply doing the right thing is totally absurd and utterly pointless.
Olaniyi Ajibola, Senior Special Assistant to Ogun State Governor on Strategic Communications
