Chief Obafemi Awolowo:The Political Moses by Adedara S. Oduguwa

Author:Adedara S. Oduguwa [Oduguwa, Adedara S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Trafford Publishing
Published: 2012-05-23T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

Awo and Judgment

I think if the people of this country can be reached with the truth, Their judgment will be in favor of the many, as against the privileged few.

—Eleanor Roosevelt

Awo Finishes His Testimony

After about seven months of treason trial, on May 31, 1963, in the court, Awo said to Mr. Sodeinde Sowemimo, “You are presiding over a trial which is political in nature. This being a political crime, I urge your lordship in considering the evidence to take into a very serious consideration the political colour, leanings or tendencies of the witnesses before you. I am urging your lordship to reject the evidence of those who had come from political camps known to be hostile to my own political camp. I am asking your lordship to take into consideration the political situation that existed in this country at the time of this trial. In other words, it is my further submission that you use all the qualities of judicial detachment and impartiality at your disposal to see to it that I and others do not become victims of what the learned Author of Willis, on circumstantial evidence called party violence.”

“In this regard, it is my final submission that it would be better for your lordship to let me and others go than to take the risk of sending one innocent person to jail.”

Justice. I do not understand that.

Awo. Let me put it in another way: it is better to err on the side of conviction than to err on the side of acquittal.

Court was adjourned until June 27, 1963.

Awo and Judgments

After more than ten months of trial (September 1962-June 27, 1963) all the accused people, including Awo, were kept in the prison awaiting the judgment day. This was after many months had been spent under one scrutiny or the other. However, during the trial, there were about fifty-three witnesses who had testified for the prosecution of Awo and others and about forty-three witnesses for the defense.

Also, more than 360 exhibits were presented or admitted before the court along with about 800 pages of evidence, including 600 pages notes of submission. Moreover, out of the thirty-one people initially arrested and charged for the crime, four were released and two others were withdrawn before the final verdict. The following four were released:

1. Dr. Chike Obi (famous Nigerian mathematician)

2. Mr. Alfred Rewane

3. Mr.Alex Tunde Amuwo

4. Mr. Muri Badmus

All were discharged and acquitted by the judge. Two others withdrew:

5. Dr. Oladipo Akinwunmi Maja (prime witness for the prosecution)

6. Mr. Richard Babalola

However, toward the end of the trial, hearing of the case was suspended for two weeks.

Awo’s Speech before Judgment

Chief Awo delivered his final speech before Judge Sodeinde Sowemimo in the Lagos High Court at the close of the treasonable felony trial, before his final judgment.

Awo speaks:

My Lord:

I must say with respect, and this may have been taken up with a higher tribunal, that I do not agree with your lordship’s verdict and the premises on which it is based. For upwards of

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