New York [RR]ABUJA—this is beyond PDP or Ogun politics. Every right-thinking person will agree that Dimeji Bankole’s shameful; gangasterism acts have caused Nigeria grievous national embarrassments and one is appalled at the most thoughtless and unintelligible attempts of some people to justify criminality of Nigeria’s Speaker of House of Representatives. It is not only about the level of stark illiteracy of issue/consequences demonstrated by many of the pro-Bankole guys and sympathizers alike; it is the lack of sincerity and stark illogicalities of their positions. Take a look at these and justify the action of Dimeji Bankole:

Legal Analogy and Implications:

1)    Entering the Bus: unless this allegation is denied, Dimeji’s forceful entry of the bus (another man’s property) carrying the Governor, Minister and others is most criminal. It is criminal assault of the highest magnitude to enter and further trespass on someone’s property by seizing the key of the car to turn-off the ignition. Even if anything should happen to him, the law will excuse that since, by his act, he is the aggressor, trespasser and assailant.

 2)  Injurious Act: the fact that Dimeji Bankole did not only forcefully enter another person’s property but did so by physically assaulting and injuring the driver is most irresponsible and criminal of your so-called Number-4 citizen.  Criminal liability hangs on his neck. Gladly, he enjoys no immunity from prosecution, trial and imprisonment.

3)  Assault on Governor: The fact that the boyish Speaker entered the bus and used insulting words on the Governor of Ogun State is a felony against the Government and people of Ogun State. Though this would not qualify as treasonable felony; Dimeji Bankole is criminally responsible for his thoughtless, rashly behavior. Affront is the offense here.

4)  Assault/Threat on Minister: This is most disturbing. The Minster represents the President. A Speaker is only relevant in the House of Reps and exercises neither the executive power nor executive influence. Only tow-levels of executive are recognized by the constitution- the Federal and State. The abuse of the Minister is most irresponsible of Dimeji Bankole, his threat of sacking the Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is most childish and unbecoming of a Speaker of Reps. the President appoints Ministers subject to confirmation of the Senate (not even the House of Reps). Dimeji’s threat on Daggash is irrational, reckless and irritating.

5)   General: The whole scenario shows that the Dimeji guys is lacking the maturity, wisdom, knowledge and comportment of the Office of Speaker of house of Reps. Dimeji Bankole has added to the long list of his impeachable offences ranging from corruption, embezzlement, NYSC certificate forgery, ineptitude, criminality and criminal dispositions, affrays, gangsterism, and many more. These have also made more apparent that the Dimeji Bankole guy is unworthy of continuing to represent us, and thus liable to be re-called pursuant to the provisions of the constitution (As I’ve argued and championed several times).

 Like my article below titled: “Two Fighting: Courageous Rep and Bullish speaker” posted on Saturday June 5, 2010 when the shameless, childish Speaker Dimeji Bankole went bullying against Hon Ogunewe. Attached is a copy of the said article below. The shameless boy has done it again. I’ve written that violence runs in the blood stream of the Bankoles- old and young. But I must be quick to add that the Bankoles know very well that they are surely not the repositories of violence or aggressions. I’m an advocate of two eyes for one simply because the wicked who first plucks an eye would not have learnt his lessons if commensurable one-eye retaliation is meted-out.

Dimeji Bankole has crossed the bar of civility and commonsense. He has only just begun the unfolding of eternal war on him by his clan for as long as he remains an Egba and Ogun State citizen. At the end of the day, everyone will count his blessings, losses or casualties. This is just to prepare for the series of vilifications of your shameless Speaker. We’ve had Speakers in Nigeria but this is the worst and most irrational of all Speakers of the  House of Reps of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is not about Ogun politics but because the entire nation is being continually dragged-along in Dimeji Bankole’s ignominy. In a civilized country, Dimeji Bankole will by now be serving jail terms for affray, criminal assault and affront.

God bless.

Yemi Oke, PhD, BL

———————

From the archives (Posted 5th June 2010)

‘TWO-FIGHTING’: COURAGEOUS REP AND BULLISH SPEAKER

The fact that the SSS quizzed Hon. Ogunewe without any evidence that the Speaker,  Rt. Hon Dimeji Bankole was questioned shows the level of insincerity of the attempt of the SSS to investigate the matter. One may, however, have a rethink if the SSS invites Dimeji Bankole for interrogation- what is good for the goose is good for the gander. Speaker Dimeji has no immunity from investigation or interrogation. An objective by-stander watching the show of shame between Bankole and one of his honorable members would come to no other conclusion that the SSS (if what we read in the news is anything to go by) was unfair to Hon Ogunewe. Assault is a criminal offence. Affray is likewise a crime under the Nigerian Criminal Code. The offences committed by the duo of Dimeji Bankole and Hon Ogunewe come within the ambit of the exiting penal codes.

A Legal Analysis:

Available evidence indicates that Speaker Bankole greeted Hon Ogunewe who scornfully replied the greetings. At this point no crime is committed. The hot exchanges that soon followed would not ordinarily have resulted in crimes unless attempts are made at physical assault on either party. The fact that it was Speaker Dimeji Bankole that (reportedly) attempted to throw punches at Hon Ogunewe shows that he was the aggressor in the circumstance. Attempt made by Hon Ogunewe to throw back punches legally qualifies as self-defense. In that case, the one who actually committed assault is Speaker Dimeji Bankole.

Legal Implications:

Law is no respecter of persons or office. The law of the land only shields two categories of offices from liability while in office: The President or Vice-President and the Governor and Deputy-Governor. These immunities are not extended to the headship of any of the two arms of the National Assembly (Senate or House of Representatives). As a nation, we can’t cut our nose to spite out face. The fact remains Speaker Dimeji Bankole has committed an offence under the law of the land. He has no immunity from investigation and/or prosecution. The duo of Hon Ogunewe and Dimeji Bankole should be made to face the consequences of their disgraceful acts as national legislators. While that of Hon Ogunewe is bad enough; that of the so-called number 4 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a display of barbarism of the highest order given the nature of the office, and is unacceptable. A President (No.1) will never throw punches no matter the level of provocation. A Vice-President (No2) will never do so. I also assume the Senate President (No3) will never descend that low under the guise of “provocation”. What a shame that only our number 4 would at slightest opportunity give-in to acts of provocation that causes national embarrassment.

If law and justice will not take their cause now, we’ll ensure it later. The shameful act of “two-fighting” between Speaker Dimeji Bankole and Hon. Ogunewe only elongates our list of issues to be legally pursued at the appropriate time.

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REPUBLICREPORT…standing between civilization and anarchy…

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