It is pessimism that says, “Nigeria was once a democracy”.

Nigeria’s democracy is being threatened. Suffice it to say, her democracy is on fire. And we are all feeling the heat, a majority of us, I like to think.

“No one is above the law”. The president and his supporters say.

“we should be talking about the crimes CJN Onnoghen committed instead of crying foul at the reactions of (Saint) Buhari”. The others chant along.

President Buhari announced the suspension of the Chief justice of the federation, Walter Onnoghen on Friday. He cited the false declaration of assets charges against the CJN as the reason for his suspension.

“Although the allegations in the petition are grievous enough in themselves, the security agencies have since then traced other suspicious transactions running into millions of dollars to the CJN’s personal accounts, all undeclared or improperly declared as required by law,” the president said.

Mr. Onnoghen was first appointed acting CJN on November 10, 2017, following the retirement of the former CJN, Mahmoud Mohammed. The President had to be called out before his name was submitted to the Senate for confirmation. We have a president whose mind wouldn’t let his body move. He simply couldn’t be bothered. Especially when it came to cases which are of zero interests to him. In this case, some people alleged ethnic bias as the reason for his reluctance.

He is often referred to as ‘Baba go-slow’. It is shocking to see how swiftly he acted this time. He went in for the kill as is often the case when it is not his ‘kinsman’s’ head on the line.

I get it. I got it the first time the petition was filed, before the suspension. The ‘hunt’ is politically motivated. It is visible, even to the blind. No doubt about it. But, how does a CJN forget to declare his assets?

I thought the rot had not gotten to them; the judiciary. How naïve have I been? Over the years, I have looked on at the Executive and Legislative arms of the government with so much disdain. All along feeding my faith on the judiciary fat. Faith, which has become fragile as events unfold. Now, I know better.

Detectives allegedly found more funds in the CJN’s account. Most of the lodgments were effected between 2012 and 2016. These suspicious transactions which were undeclared in Mr. Onnoghen’s asset declaration include an $800,000 Standard Chartered Bank investment subscription, a $630,000 lodged in some of the accounts through what is described as “structured payments” in tranches of $10,000 each.

“One expected that with his moral authority so wounded, by these serious charges of corruption, more so by his own written admission, Mr. Justice Walter Onnoghen would have acted swiftly to spare our Judicial Arm further disrepute by removing himself from superintending over it while his trial lasted.” The president went on.

A suit challenging the veracity of the academic credentials of the President was adjourned indefinitely two weeks ago.

One would expect that Mr. President, in like manner, had acted swiftly to spare our Executive arm further disrepute. How does one fight corruption with soiled hands? How do they say it again? He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.

Who is honest?

“The never-been-involved-in-politics contestants” you say. I would not bet my life on that your assertion. There is something dishonest about their honesty.

Reduced Circumstances – We have become people in reduced circumstances.

It doesn’t help that humanity is so adaptable either. With a few compensations, you’d be shocked at what human beings can get used to.

“The world is watching”. They say.

Why don’t Britain concentrate on their selfish walk to exit the European Union first, before they watch us? Can the United States get their ‘dog’ to walk on a leash first as well?

Relevance. That’s what they still seek. But, have some of us not seen them in entirety for what they are worth?

“The European Union, the United States, and Britain express concerns”.

Concerns ~ my black ass!

I am certain the man in Aso Rock is not even aware of these expressed concerns.

Does he read? (in Amaechi’s voice).

When would we learn to nip our own problems in the bud, by our own selves rather than cry like a toothless dog to the International community each time?

The people crying wolf know what the problem is. And I can boldly say they also know how to get rid of the problem.

The rest of us are people in reduced circumstances.