Chidinma/Atega: Matters arising

By LEKAN OTUFODUNRIN

There are many issues arising from the alleged murder of the CEO of Super TV, Michael Atega by a student of the University of Lagos, Chidinma Ojukwu.

Following her parade by the Police on Thursday and the statement she made while being interviewed by journalists, there have been various perspectives on who to blame for the incident.

The statement she made on camera has justifiably made her the main suspect of the crime. Although she seems to be claiming to have acted in self defence. But, as far as many are concerned, she is guilty of murder even before she is charged.

Withdrawing money from the late CEO’s account after the incident and not reporting herself before she was tracked down by the police weakens any claim of innocence or not committing a premeditated murder.

She will definitely have her day in court and it will be up to the judge to determine how culpable she is and the commensurate punishment.

Cases like this, especially if the accused gets a lawyer who can come up with all kinds of legal arguments in her favour, can last for years when many would have forgotten about it or a more sensational one would have come up.

We should indeed be alarmed when avoidable incidents like this happen. They shock us to the reality of how we have sunk on the scale of values that used to define our being. They provide us an opportunity to seriously address the moral decadence which we are all aware of and have been raising our voices on, but have defied needed solution.

However, beyond Chidinma who is the current poster girl for our ‘spoilt’ youths indulging in all kind of vices, we should not spare the late CEO, though not alive to defend himself, and his type who take advantage of vulnerable girls, young enough to be their daughters and sisters because they have money to throw around to satisfy their lust.

We can blame Chidima for choosing to be wayward for whatever indefensible reason, but why should a married man like Atega, not be restrained enough, for the sake of his family and his integrity, avoid such escapade that they should be ashamed of.

If only Atega knows the shame his indiscretions will bring to his family, he would have kept his marital vows and not got into the kind of situation that led to his death. How does he wants his wife and children to mourn his demise? They would miss him, but the circumstance of his death would make them wish they had a more responsible husband and father.

The crisis we have at hand is not only about young girls indulging in ‘runs’ and youths doing drugs alone, we are faced with a situation where supposed responsible adults are not living up to expectations. Adults like Atega are as guilty as the youths we are complaining about.

Atega is unlucky to have been ‘caught in the act’, and paying the ultimate price, but there are many others like him who still take pride in what they should be ashamed of.

I’m not sure many will learn from this case, but they should know that their own day of reckoning may come soon if they don’t desist from engaging in extramarital affairs.

There is also the issue of parade of accused persons by the police and subjecting them to questioning by journalists during which they may make implicating statements.

Under the law, accused person remains innocent until he or she is pronounced guilty.

Even for what appears to be a grievous crime, it will take the court to determine the severity of the crime. It should be enough to parade an accused person, but they should be spared unnecessary interrogation by the media.

It is what they say under oath that can be admissible in court, not what is reported about them or they are quoted to have said.

Should Chidinma’s parents be blamed for not knowing the kind of girl she is? Should the lecturers not have been bothered that she has not been coming for lectures? Many questions begging for answers. (Adapted from The Nation)