The Network for Justice

INTRODUCTION The desire, to adore and see justice done is intrinsic in the nature of man. And the search for it, has constituted the one thread that runs through the entirety of human history. But the greed and selfishness of the powerful have always stood as obstacles on the way of justice. However, far from dissuading man, this has only accentuated the search, and promoted, it to the level of an unceasing universal struggle. And this struggle against injustice - more than anything else, has been the major means through which man realises justice. Justice has been central to governance from the dawn of history and it is still the stated objective of governments throughout the world. Ibn Khaldun, the 15th century philosopher of history, argued that any government that failed to uphold justice has also failed to justify its existence. He said that any government that violated the rights of its people through confiscation of people's property, physical attacks, arrests and tortures should await its fall. In his words, "If the hostile acts are extended to the property, the wives, the lives, the skins, and the honour of people, it will lead to sudden disintegration and decay and the quick disintegration of the dynasty." What lbn Khaldun was suggesting is that political instability is directly related to the level of injustice in the-society and the violation of the rights of people more than the economy or foreign interference many are apt to blame. In the more succinct words of Usman Dan Fodio, "a nation can endure in unbelief, but not in injustice". Shaykh said: "A King gains victory over his enemies according to his injustice over his subjects and is defeated in his wars according to his injustices. Seeing to the welfare of the subjects, is more effective than a large number of soldiers. It has been said that the crown of a king is his integrity, his stronghold is his impartiality and his wealth is his subjects". These thoughts, to be sure, are universal, for an 11th century British novelist, Daniel Defoe had occasion to write: "When kings the sword of justice first lay down; Thy art no kings, though they posses the crown; Titles are shadows, crowns are empty things; The good of subjects is end of kings." It is remarkable that while separated by thousands of miles and by faith, yet both the Shaykh and the English novelist echoed the same concern and expressed the same sentiments and spent their career promoting, each in his own way, the cause of justice. Such is the nature of justice; it cuts across faiths, regions, ethnicity, and class. It is one thing around which humanity can and indeed ought to rally. Here in Nigeria the search forjustice had been on, long before the nation state came into existence. But since then this search had heightened. First the entity, was created by an imperial fiat, it was then maintained by an imperial force and finally inherited by an elite and institutions created by an imperial culture. The values of the ruling elite, civilian or military and the ethos which provided the foundations of the national institutions were alien and often in conflict with the sociocultural environrnent. The legal system, for example, having been- borrowed from the imperial metropolis, is beyond both the comprehension and the reach of a large section of the public. The. law enforcement agents are still hardly distinguishable from the pioneering frontier forces, except of course in their ineptitude and level of corruptibility. And despite the glaring cultural diversity, cultural regimentation has been the norm, thus denying a whole people their rights to their identity and fuelling the sources of political instability. The imposition of a secular culture and the consequent absence of a social morality had given corruption full rein, so much so that it has today become the most powerful force in the country. And for this reason every standard has been abandoned. No one cares about the fate of those who are oppressed even, paradoxically when this includes them. Today Multinationals can and do dump any substandard toxic and other poisonous product in the country and get away with it. Many are understandably worried. One government after another has ineptly or deliberately failed in the fight against corruption, and in upholding and promoting the rule of law. This consistent failure and the consequent growth of inequities has had, and continues to have, the most devastating effects on the quality of leadership, economy, education, health and even our psyche. Many individuals have been psychologically defeated, their resolve has been systematically broken and increasingly made to submit to expediency and abandon principles. Social services, values and institutions have consequently been crumbling under the increasing weight of corruption and injustice. Even the watchdogs, the press, have abandoned the struggle and joined the bandwagon. It looked as if everyone had given up. Who else is left to see to the interests of the common men, women and children? Where do these oppressed members of this tormented society turn to for succour? What hope is there for this beleaguered nation of ours? Our hope was raised when a few years ago there emerged some human rights groups in the country, But alas, we were soon to be disappointed. Instead of fighting the ills, these groups fell victim to them. They became local, sectional and appeared to be in pursuit of some private personal agenda. Their perception of human rights was also too narrow and skewed in favour of the individual to the detriment of other genuine and pressing needs of society. This wholesale importation of alien concepts of human rights further made the exercise of little relevance and therefore consequence to the wider society. Meanwhile, the situation was deteriorating by the day and an increasing number of ordinary people were being subjected to all manners of injustices and the wider society was becoming more and more vulnerable as health hazards increased in the face of increasing poisonous medications and harmful food additives, banned by law in other countries. The institutions which were created and paid to address these issues were either vitiated or have resorted to connivance with the very forces they were supposed to fight to the detriment of the rest of us. It was very clear that the country and its people are on the brink of collapse or some disaster. But we can't afford the luxury of waiting and praying - something must be done. There is no doubt that there are many who despite all the devastation that had been brought on this beleaguered society, are still prepared to make the necessary sacrifices to put in their best, or what has remained of it, to save what they can of the situation. Hence the emergence of the Network for Justice (NJ). The NJ has been conceived essentially as a forum for all those who wish to promote the cause of justice and save this country from the disaster that is waiting to happen. The NJ wishes to develop a formidable Network of people who will curb the growing excesses and injustices in our society. The NJ believes that nothing is nobler or more honourable than this fight against the pervading injustices,and corruption at this sad juncture in time and in the history of this country! OBJECTIVES To develop public awareness about the injustices, inequities and corruption in Nigeria and the need, indeed necessity, for the rule of law. To help the weak, the poor and the oppressed to achieve justice not only in law courts but also in everyday activities of life outside the law courts. To nurture deeper appreciation among our people throughout the country of the need for honesty, probity and rectitude in all dealings and at all levels of society. To raise national consciousness on the crucial importance of fostering attitudes, values and ideals, at both personal and societal (community) levels, which are necessary for the attainment of justice in society. To recruit and mobilise all individuals and groups, across the country, who are committed to the cause of justice, equity and probity, towards the realisation of a just and humane society.   AGENDA In the pursuit of the above objectives, NJ has developed, four agendas for a start: HUMAN RIGHTS AGENDA: This aims at exposing and fighting the misuse of judicial power by all judicial personnel especially the police and the judges and curbing the excesses of those in authority from wanton unlawful arrests, torture and infringements on the rights of citizens. CONSUMER RIGHTS AGENDA: This aim at exposing dangerous substances contained in food products, substandard and fake drugs that have pervaded the Nigerian food and pharmaceutical markets. It also aims at creating awareness of the dangers of industrial and environmental pollution to the health of our people. POLITICAL RIGHTS AGENDA: This aims at educating our society of the desirability and necessity for allowing for proper pluralism in our political arrangements, so that full cognisance is taken of our diversity in values, culture and aspirations. The regimentation that had characterised our past political arrangements is not only unjust and-unfair, it constitutes the greatest source of our political instability. ANTI-CORRUPTION AGENDA: This aims at exposing and fighting corruption especially by public officials who (by the stroke of the pen) swindle large sums put in their trust, sums which would have otherwise gone into the service of the wider society. This rampant robbery is not only depriving us of good schools, good hospitals, good and safer roads and efficient social services, but far more serious, it is eroding and subverting our morals and suffocating the whole society.   The four agendas above will be pursued through these activities: Publishing and distributing well-re searched articles, commentaries. pamphlets, journals and books. Organising lectures, seminars and conferences. Providing legal services to the poor and the weak who cannot afford to pay the legal fees in fighting for their rights. Any other means within the scope of the law. Co-operating actively with other like-minded human rights group through national, regional and international networks.   FINANCES NJ’s activities and administration will certainly require substantial funds. NJ hopes to raise these funds through the following: - Sales from its publications. - Regular contributions from its membership. - Contributions from its sympathisers. - Any other source that will not abstruct or lead to compromising its principles. For the first year of its operation NJ will be run by a steering committee, which will be suhdividedinto sub-committeesfor the respedive agendas and administration. During this period the appropriate administrative structure will be developed and the executive officers to run the organwill be elected. NJ will be organised at the ward, local government, state and national levels. NJ shall have a board of trustees who will be responsible for policy guidelines. MEMBERSHIP FORM I hereby endorse the objectives of the Network For Justice and as a token of my support, enclose a cheque/money order for…………….. as a voluntary contribution to NJ (all cheque payments to be made to: Network for Justice). TICK AS APPROPRIATE: ....As a supporter. I understand that I can play an active role in NJ’s programmes. ....As a sympathiser, I understand that I can play a passive role by giving my moral support to the NJ. Include me on members list....... Do not include ........ NAME (IN FULL ) : ................. ....................................................... OFFICE ADDRESS: ................... ......................................................... .......................................................... HOME ADDRESS: ......................................... .......................................................... .......................................................... TELEPHONE: OFFICE / HOME ................... Please print and send the completed form to: 1. The Network for Justice P.0. Box 3802 G.P.O. Kaduna. Nigeria. 2. Or print and attach as email to: ubugaje@webstar.co.uk 3. Or in Nigeria call at: Sahara Chambers BZ 55, Sardauna Crescent. Kaduna Nigeria.