LAGOS — THE family of the late Attorney-General of the federation and Justice Minister, Chief Bola Ige has deplored what it called “the botched prosecution of suspects” in his assassination, and said those in authority “would continue to be haunted by his death.”
In its first reaction to the discharge and acquittal of the second batch of suspects in the case by an Oyo state high court and a statement by the state attorney-general that the case “is not closed and investigations will continue,” the Iges said “Justice of this case has neither been investigated nor dispensed diligently.”
The two page statement signed by the deceased's children, Mrs Funso Adegbola, and Mr Muyiwa Ige as well as the deceased's younger brother, Mr Dele Ige reads:
“In spite of our desire to ignore the current developments in the long running saga which is the botched prosecution of suspects in the tragic assassination of Chief Bola Ige, the various comments of the Attorney-General of Oyo State has rendered it necessary for us to make a few comments following the Oyo State Attorney-General’s disclosure that the case is not closed and investigations will continue.
“The pertinent question that the Attorney-General has failed to address is whether the “investigations” would include the released suspects. Afterall, it is elementary law that if one wishes to keep one’s options open, the appropriate action in a criminal matter is to file a nolle prosequi. It is also elementary that a person cannot be charged twice for an offence for which he has been acquitted and discharged. We have known that justice of this case hasn't been investigated nor dispensed diligently. As we stated in our previous statement, we affirm that God is on His throne. However, we would be much obliged if the Attorney-General of Oyo State kept his counsel and refrained from treating us and the general public as though we are fools or ignorant. How can a law officer who made a selective decision in this matter when he entered a nolle prosequi for some of the accused persons, after the case had closed, allowing the rest to face the music, be taken seriously about renewing investigation in the matter? Why has he not appealed the decision of the court? Has he forgotten his attempt to take over the case when the late Chief Debo Akande was absent during the hearing?
“We would like our sensibilities to be spared this unnecessary assault by the Attorney-General who really should know better, as we are all aware that he has no intention of pursuing the case further having regard to the way he dealt with the late Debo Akande when the latter was handling the case.
“We have continued to wait patiently, trusting in the Almighty that the cause of truth and justice will one day be served by those he has chosen. In the meantime, we urge Nigerians to pray for our country and those who govern it that we may walk in the path of righteousness so that the light of truth may guide us to take decisions on the basis that we will be held accountable sooner or later.
“We thank all those who continue to give their support and love to our family and pray that others will show them the same love and support in their times of need. God bless them all.
“Our consolation however is in the fact that the late Chief Bola Ige lived a fulfilled life. He touched the lives of very many people for good. He served his country with all that he had, and the legacy he had left behind will for ever and remain indelible.
“The family has no problem. It is those in authority who would continue to be haunted by his death because the country and indeed the international community will not desist from asking what type of country is ours where the Chief Law Officer of a country was assassinated in his bedroom and for nearly three years, the authorities have not been able to fish out his killer. This is a big shame.”
