So, who wants Mbadinuju dead?

There is no gainsaying the fact that Chinwoke Clement Mbadinuju (PhD) is a Nigerian of no mean status. Apart from being a legal luminary, Dr. Mbadinuju (Odera) had, also, in his hey days, distinguished himself in the journalism profession. He even rose to the level of Managing Director of the Star Printing and Publishing Company (SPPC), Enugu, publishers of the famous Star group of newspapers then,between late 1970s and 80s. A political maestro of sorts, Odera was to hit the top when, amidst stiff competition in 1999, he emerged executive governor of Anambra state.

But recently, Nigerian newspapers were awash with reports of suspected plans to eliminate this prominent Nigerian. According to the reports, on Saturday January 3 this New Year, 2009, Mbadinuju’s Uli, Ihiala council home was invaded by unknown persons. Mbadinuju himself told reporters that the invaders alighted from their car ‘looking strange, fierce and nervous’.

He said the strange men were stopped by his security personnel at the gate, and subjected to some questioning, with a view to ascertaining their mission. The men reportedly claimed to have been sent to Mbadinuju by the comptroller General of Nigerian Customs.

But the mission of these invaders turned suspicious as they could neither provide the name of the comptroller general or that of the former governor he (the comptroller general) had sent them to.

Narrated Mbadinuju: "While they were disputing with the security boys, word reached armed policemen in the compound who quickly swooped on them at the security post to answer more questions. But they quickly rushed into their car and drove off".

This plot to assassinate former Governor Mbadinuju is, to say the least in the mildest way, very unfortunate. For whatever reason/s, extrajudicial killing is never contemplated by the Nigerian constitution, and should never be resorted to in the settlement of scores of any kind. Assuming Mbadinuju had stepped on anyone’s toes, it would be heinous enough to sponsor his killing. Were it not for the alertness of the security team at the entrance gate to his mansion, maybe, Odera would have, by now, made the list as one of the prominent Nigerians that have fallen victim to assassination.

The situation would have been so heart-rending because it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for Mbadinuju’s killers to have been nabbed and prosecuted successfully by the police. Mbadinuju told KlinReports that he had reported the incident to the police; unfortunately, it is on record that the Nigerian police have never successfully prosecuted any murder case, including the high profile ones. Not even a single one!

Mbadinuju’s experience exposes the hopeless security situation in Nigeria. It, also, shows that Nigeria is a country created for the comfort of only the privileged minority. Mbadinuju is alive to tell his story because he has been able to purchase security, ostensibly at a huge cost, for himself and members of his family. What about the majority others out there in the shanties and ghettos of Nigeria who cannot must as much to have police orderlies?

We do not intend to run commentaries on those Mbadinuju could be suspecting their involvement in the plot to eliminate him since the matter is already in the domain of the police. All in all, while KlinReports commiserates with Mbadinuju over his lucky escape, we reiterate the need for the Nigerian government to provide the citizenry with adequate security, and minimum comfort. Nigerians deserve no less than this!