Feb 13th, 2007
A Blow Below the Belt
By Eni Akinsola, The Nation. February 12, 2007
When President Olusegun Obasanjo took on Dr. Segun Mimiko, the Ondo born doctor who wants to unseat Governor Agagu in the April elections in Ondo State, he delivered a blow that was callous, vindictive and serpentine. He looked at his quarry and struck him way below the belt. It was a punch that was meant to either knock the man out of political contention or incapacitate him for as long as possible.
He knew it was going to be difficult for Mimiko to take him up headlong. The fear of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is the beginning of wisdom, for those who have forayed into government. More than this, you never can tell what small things could be raked up in this era for all kinds of consideration.
Mimiko was struck and left for dead. More, a sharp sword was hung directly over his pummelled body. Any slight move, the sword is allowed to drop for the kill. Not only was his pedigree questioned, but his history was queried by a man he served under as minister till he resigned recently.
In a judgemental manner, we were told that the man stole while serving as minister and that soon, the EFCC will be unleashed on him.
From the way the judgement was delivered, it looked more like an investigation has been conducted and some heinous findings about widespread stealing have been uncovered. The only worry was that the president claimed that the EFCC would be called in.
That seems like reversing the earlier verdict. If Mr President believes that the EFCC still has a job to do in Mimiko’s case, where did he get the guilt verdict he preposterously pasted on the cross upon which he nailed Mimiko? Was the corruption-busting body not meant to investigate? Upon whose investigation did Mr President base his verdict?