MY THOUGHTS ON RELIGION

 MY THOUGHTS ON RELIGION

The recent story of the pastor’s daughter who converted to Islam has being on the social media, for some weeks now, most Muslims displaying her pictures on Facebook with pride. I really don’t know why there is so much hype about her story, she is definitely not the first Christian to convert to Islam, or if I may say not even the first pastor’s daughter to convert to Islam. Her story only became popular, thanks to the social media. The same also applies to Muslims who have converted to Christianity. And also Muslims and Christians who have converted to other religion like Grail Message , Eckanka, Buddhism, AL Krishna, Matasini, Guru Maharaji, Ekist, Traditional worshippers, sango, Uchi, etc.  I really don’t understand the reason or reasons behind this disdain for each other’s religious believes, the arguments sometimes goes  on with so much bitterness, debate upon debate, analysis here and there of how, one religion is better than the other. Some have concluded in their hearts and aloud those going to hell and the lucky ones to go the paradise. Infact we have stories of people who died , came back to life with tales of those they saw in hell and messages from important people, including some known pastors, who are burning in hell. Then we have boko haram, in the Northern part of Nigeria, killing innocent people in the name of religion. How merciful is God! When I see the way people present their arguments on superiority of one religion over the other, I wonder, who amongst these preachers was present when any of the Holy Books which they so defend was revealed and first published. The answer is rhetoric: nobody! Yet we have all been born to believe the content of these Holy Books, BIBLE:  that Jesus is your Lord and personal Saviour, Jesus Christ died for our sins, HOLY QURAN: Prophet Mohammed (SAW) is the last Messenger of Allah, there is only one True God and we can pray to Him directly. ECKANKA: You can communicate with God through sounds. GRAIL MESSAGE: There is nothing like Anti Christ coming at the end of time, the real anti Christ where those who crucified Jesus Christ, they were the anti Christ. I  can go on and on. i have always pondered on these issues, until one day while reading the Quran I stumbled on a verse that said, that no man should judge any other man on his religious believes, only Almighty God would be the judge over that which we differ.

Its based on this that I do not judge others and their religious beliefs, I mind my business. I don’t even share my views unless my opinion is sought and I do it as politely as I can. I always pray that people don’t bring such topics to my doorstep, because i could be so blunt. I speak on my religious beliefs, but I restrain myself to my belief  and those that believe in my faith, without crossing boarders. I wish we all live like this; I wish we stop fighting one another over nothing. I pray we stop the hate, stop the bombing, stop the killing, stop the abusive words. Allow those who convert from one religion to another to freely practice what they so desire. No matter how much you desire to have people practice your religion, you cant convert the whole world into your religion. God is watching us from above, and I believe angry at what his creation (Humans) have turned earth into, a battlefield of words and negative energy. I pray that God opens our hearts to love one another more sincerely, irrespective of our respective religious beliefs.    God bless u all! 

AL MUSTAPHA’S CASE: JUSTICE DELAYED.

AL MUSTAPHA’S CASE: JUSTICE DELAYED.

Have you heard of the Slogan ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’! that’s how best I wish to describe the Al Mustapha’s case. A lot of people are moaning and angry about the final decision of this case. My God, the man walked out of the court room a freeman after over ten years of trial. Honestly I am shocked that people are angry. Al Mustapha’s case is simply a reflection of the rot in our judiciary and police system. A man commits an offence, or is accused of committing an offence, he is arrested, charged to court, and for one year, trial has not commenced, the court keeps adjourning the case, the witnesses are not available, you have to constantly look for them, the Investigating police office (IPO) who is also a witness is never available, he may be on police academy course today, or tomorrow, he is on transfer to another state. When the IPO finally makes his appearance, then the court discovers that there is no sufficient evidence, while we are trying to sought out the issue of evidence, the judge is transferred to another state or court, sacked or retired, then a new judge steps in and the case starts afresh. Then we go back to the same delay tactics, adjournment upon adjournment. When its time to give evidence, there is no more evidence, reasons not far fetched, the IPO in the first place did not do proper investigation, no proper records, the ones in the cold room went bad because no constant electricity to keep them in their original form, or maybe Boko Haram, bombed the police station were the records were kept, or the record room got burnt and the fire service could not get there on time to put off the fire, or fire service had no water to put off the fire, so all evidence  were lost. While all these are happening, time is going, guilty or not guilty man is still in prison, on the awaiting trial list. While we are still on trial, the judge is transferred again, this time, the case is half way gone, so the lawyer for the accused may apply that the matter be transferred to the new court where the judge has been moved to, that may take another year before approval is granted. That’s how people waste time in our courts. Finally its judgment day with little or no evidence, the accused or defendant is found not guilty, discharged and acquitted. Our judiciary/ police system is sick and in dying need of rehabilitation, though some states are improving we still have a long way to go. That’s why Al Mustapha walked out of the court and prison a freeman, no evidence and no proper investigation. My heart goes out the innocent men and women rotting away in our prisons. 

By: Halima Musa-Bakwunye  

WIKIPEDIA: “Hamza al-Mustapha was the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of General Sani Abacha, military head of state of Nigeria from November 1993 to June 1998. After Abacha's death he was arrested and tried for murder and attempted murder of Kudirat Abiola. On 30 January 2012, a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere convicted Major Hamza Al-Mustapha over the murder of Kudirat Abiola, the wife of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election, Chief Moshood Abiola. He was also sentenced to death by hanging but was discharged and acquitted of the crime by the appeal court, Lagos division on Friday, July 12, 2013. The appellate court said there was not enough evidence to incriminate Al-Mustapha in the murder of the Late Kudirat Abiola. On 12 July 2013, The Court of Appeal in Lagos discharged and acquitted Hamza Al-Mustapha from the murder of Kudirat Abiola. The verdict overturned that of the Lagos High Court which sentenced him to death by hanging. The presiding judge, Justice Rita Pemu, accused the lower court jude, Justice Mojisola Dada, of being ‘‘stroked to secure a conviction by all means.’’ Consequently setting Al-Mustapha free.’ Extracted from WIKIPEDIA

COURT 10: TALE OF MY NARROW ESCAPE!

COURT 10: TALE OF MY NARROW ESCAPE!

I have always believed in adequate preparedness when it comes to court matters and trials, but on Wednesday in court 10, I was caught off guard. At our last adjourned date, the complainant, was not in court, infact he has never been in court, because he is the ‘ oga at the top’ who decided to deal unjustly with my client. This made the magistrate really mad, how can a man who calls himself a honourable at the House of Representative, make a mockery of our court system, why would he instigate a criminal case against the defendant and for close to a year never appear in court. It couldn’t get any better, this was icing on the cake for me, so I immediately ceased the opportunity to humbly ask that the matter be struck out. The magistrate was in agreement with me, but refused to strike out the case, on the grounds that she was going to give the complainant, one more chance to make himself available in court. if he was not in court at the next adjourned date, then she would gracefully strike out the case.

So my client and I went home, confident, that ‘Oga at the Top’ wont stoop low to appear in the magistrate court, and also considering the fact that my client was set up, and unjustly charged for an offence he never committed. So you can imagine my surprise when on Wednesday, we got to court only to discover that the Magistrate had been transferred and that a new magistrate appointed. The implication of this is that the matter would start ‘de novo’ afresh. I was thrown a bit off balance. As expected the complainant was not in court, the prosecutor, claimed that he was part of the team, reviewing the constitution ( a big lie, because of Ramadan( month Muslims are  fasting), all members of House of Representative and Assembly are on recess) but he however had one witness in court the Investigating Police Officer (IPO).

The charge was read out to my client again, he pleaded not guilty before the new Magistrate, and I adopted the former bail conditions, that were granted by the former magistrate. The prosecutor requested that we commence trial, i did not object, I felt I had all the materials to deal with a trial, the case was thereafter stood down for trial, we went on recess to resume in an hour.

It was during the recess that reality struck, because I was so confident that there would be no trial, I did not check the law books, and laws I had carried. The only evidence against my client was his hand written statement, which was gotten by force and duress. Whereas I had my evidence Act , I did not have the LAW ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINSTRATION IN THE HIGH COURTS AND MAGISTRATE COURTS OF LAGOS STATE AND FOR OTHER CONNECTED MATTERS . Section 3(2) states that a lawyer must be present when a defendant makes a voluntary statement, I was heavily pregnant, when he made that statement and my Associate who was suppose to represent me, was far from him when he wrote his 10 page statement. (please never write a lengthy statement in the police station, a page is ok, preferably half a page).

Any way trial started, and the IPO, was invited to the witness stand and he took his oath with the holy bible. The Prosecutor started his examination –in- chief, and I just liked the IPO’s response, good for my case. Then the prosecutor brought my client’s statement to be admitted as evidence in the case. I stood up to object, relying on the Evidence Act, which I had with me, which says that a voluntary statement gotten by force or duress by a person in authourity would not be admissible, then I made the brave attempt of citing the law which I could not provide to the court. Very embarrassing but brave, I could not cite the name of the law, I knew it was Section 3(2), I knew the content, I was mumbling words, the magistrate, was flashing the law at my face, but definitely could not help me out and no other lawyer had the law in court. LOL!

Well the magistrate was kind enough to give me one week to provide her with the law, and kindly adjourn the matter for ruling. That’s the tale of my narrow escape. Any way the law has been sent to the court, by my secretary and I am praying for a favourable ruling at the next adjourned date.

Words and Meaning.

1.  Ruling: a ruling is like a mini judgment, given by a magistrate or judge to clear any issue that arises during a matter in court.

2.  Oga at the top : ‘Pidgin English’ , phrase means a person in authourity.

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Mubak Legal Consult, is a law firm registered in Lagos State, Nigeria. Once in every year, Mubak Legal Consult, renders free legal consultancy as its community service. This programme would last only for a week commencing from 29^th July 2013 to 4^th August 2013 . You can participate by sending your questions  via my box on facebook, or our email address @ mubaklegalconsult@yahoo.com. You can also follow me on my blogs, Diarynigerianlawyer.blogspot.com, mubaklegalconsult.blogspot.com, mubaklegalconsult.wordpress.com

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DREAMING!

DREAMING!

I love to dream, its one thing that no one can take away from you or inter fare  with. just you in your own world projecting your life the way you want it. its a way of planning ahead, within your self, no limit to your dreams, you can picture your life just the way you want, make prophetic plans, and see them actualized. these days i prefer to just withdraw to myself meditating, so interesting to know that i have so much space, to express my inner most thought, wishes and plans.

we have so much to be grateful to God for. He has given us the ability to THINK FOR OURSELVES and TO DREAM,  rising  us above all other things He has created. God created the ANGELS, ANIMALS, AND MAN. But only man has the ability to 'reason' before making or taking a decision.

life for me is  a dream, and i am grateful to God for this gift, my family, and my career.

Godbless

DIARY OF A NIGERIAN LAWYER: MOTHERHOOD AND LEGAL PRACTICE

DIARY OF A NIGERIAN LAWYER: MOTHERHOOD AND LEGAL PRACTICE: OH LORD NOT ENOUGH WORDS TO SAY THANK YOU! Motherhood and legal practice; not an easy mix but i must confess that  Motherhood has bein...

MOTHERHOOD AND LEGAL PRACTICE

OH LORD NOT ENOUGH WORDS TO SAY THANK YOU!

Motherhood and legal practice; not an easy mix but i must confess that  Motherhood has being the  most humbling  experience for me.  the first three months after the birth of my child, was a period i tagged as adjustment time, i had to adjust to  the reality that my time was no longer for only me and my hubby, i now had a third person to worry about, share my space with and my time. i dont think i ever  rested , it was my son, my school work and a bit of legal practice ( just verbal legal advice and drafting of documents). for my clients they had no issues, and i am ever grateful to my clients, who understood that i could not go to court and also thankful to my colleagues and associates who stood in for me for those court cases, that could not be suspended.

i must add that for the first time in my life i appreciated being a self employed lawyer. Its a blessing for me to be able to work, care for my family and at the same time, have ample time for myself. Motherhood is a blessing, from God.  My Nnamdi has grown so big, now eight months plus, sleeping peacefully on one arm, as i type with the other hand. Oh Lord not enough words to say Thank you.