STILL ON JACK ODODO (The 26 Year old who was falsely accused and imprisoned on trumped up charges for five years without compensation) Nigeria is indeed a violent and insensitive country. Violence is not only when people take up arms against the state but also when the state (Executive, Legislative and Judiciary) use, abuse and distress the people, especially the poor, the weak, the vulnerable and the helpless - little wonder there are reprisal violence all across the land - Boko Haram, OPC, MEND, MOSSOB and all the several militias metastasising across the length and breadth of Nigeria. After wallowing in jail for five years on trumped up charges by a certain big man in the society, in January 2014 some youths in Ewu City of Edo State started to murmur and kick over the continued false imprisonment of one of them, Jack Obhafuoso Osimen - aka Jack Ododo, at the Federal Prison, Ubiaja over a trumped up charge of Armed Robbery levelled against the young man by a certain chief because the young man was poor and helpless at the time. One of the youth leaders, Godsent Jomo,drew my attention to this provcative situation and solicited my input to free Jack Ododo. On January 14, I started the #FreeJackOdodo Advocacy on Social Media through a series of widely shared Posts on many platforms across social media. See https://facebook/groups/Edopolitics/permalink/696844930350406/ and https://facebook/afrism/posts/10153790022630314:1 .A consciousness was quickly built up. We raised the funds for legal representation. Princess Rosemary Osula-Atu was the main donor giving N150,000 Naira with which we immediately hired a Lawyer to reopen the case of hitherto forgotten Jack Ododo. The long and determined legal battle started. It was tough. The Edo Political Forum and the Esan National Congress were solidly and actively involved in this process and sent delegates to each of the court sittings at Ekpoma. At last justice prevailed. On the 8th of October, 2014 Jack Obhafuoso Osimen - aka Jack Ododo was declared NOT GUILTY after spending five whole years in prison. He was consequently discharged and acquitted and asked to go home. Go home to what? No compensation. No punishment for the one who falsely accused him and used influence to jail him five years ago. No thoughts or provision for his rehabilitation after five wasted years in Prison. If the man out of frustrations, and in a bid to survive,commits a crime they will quickly rush at him and sentence him to death or long terms while those who waste our commonwealth are tolerated. What is justice if it leads to greater injustice? In prison, whether because of frustration or divine orchestration, Jack Ododo became born again. When I asked him on his release whether he was prepared to press charges against his false accuser he quickly told me I have chosen to forgive him and all of the. God used th situation to call me. I am now born again and all I am concerned with is to go to Bible College and become a Minister. He was happy to breathe freedom again after five years. He was happy to reunite with his family again and sleep on normal bed, not prison sheds. Unfortunately, his father passed on as a result of the stress of his case. His Master also passed on. He had only his poor mother left. Now the reality is dawning and biting hard on this young man that he has been crying to me to find a way to help him. He has no clothes, no food, no money and almost no hope. Godsent Jomo and I already worked out arrangement to give him clothes and something in his pocket to make calls or buy essential food. But we are very limited. This is why I make this post to call on Nigerians, and all people of conscience, goodwill and capacity to come to the aide of Jack Ododo. He needs Financial Support and also scholarship for him to realise his dream of attending a Bible School. I invite you to support Jack Ododo today. Whatever you have will be appreciated. He is still working on opening a bank account which would be ready by Monday. Meanwhile, you may wish to call him directly and ask him to provide any alternative means to get your support. His number is 08034381604. Sending recharge card to his phone is also welcome. Mine is to draw attention to the people to justice, truth and development and I will continue to do this to the best of my ability. May God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and help her to repent and do things rightly. Amen! #SME
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 14:02:40 +0000
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