Saturday, October 31, 2009              

Bode George: The Shape Of Things To Come?
By Godwin Ijediogor, Samson Ezea and Joseph Okoghenun

MONDAY'S conviction of former Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) chairman, Chief Olabode George, for contract splitting continues to attract public comments, especially being the first complete trial and conviction secured by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its long war against corruption in Nigeria.

Though most observers consider the two-year sentence too light, considering the huge amount involved, that a graft trial has taken a full course and judgment delivered in one of the myriad of anti-corruption cases involving serving and former public office holders is something to cheer about.

For many who have been in the forefront of the war and at the receiving end of stealing of public funds, it presents a light at the end of the tunnel. But for perpetrators of the act and those at the other 'receiving' end, it could mean that the rosy days are either over or would be over someday, maybe sooner that imagined.

However, in a country where anything goes and even thieves caught in the act could be celebrated rather than condemned; a country where an anti-graft agency could be perpetually restrained from investigation an alleged corrupt practice, it should not be surprising if the conviction is quashed at the next levels.

But the trial and sentencing of the accused show that it is doable and that there are still courageous judges, if Justice Olubunmi Oyewole's judgment is upheld at the higher courts.

To the average poverty-stricken Nigeria suffering neglect and lack in the midst of plenty because of mismanagement and misappropriation by public office holders, the jailing of Bode George and co could mean that the better days are after all here.