America’s Double Standard in the Abba Kyari Story. By: Douglas Ogbankwa Esq.

An American Court does not have universal jurisdiction. In this regard, an American Court can only have territorial and subject matter jurisdiction over issues that occurred in their jurisdiction and nothing more. Any American Law that gives America universal jurisdiction is null and void to the extent of its inconsistency with Nigerian Law .

A Nigerian Court can not make an order that an American Citizen be arrested and extradited to Nigeria, why should America do vice versa? What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. Let us see issues as Nigerians, not from some narrow and parochial perspective.

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Abba Kyari can not be repatriated to America over alleged crimes not committed in America. No Man is perfect, but Abba Kyari is a National Hero, as he has risked life and limb to fight the most dreaded criminals with established records of huge successes in this regard. Just like any other Hero, he sure has his hubris. Let us take the best of him and manage and process any other attribute. I rate people on their results and character, but sometimes, we have to find a delicate balance. Talk is cheap. I admire goal getters. Let us not destroy our best and elevate our worst. Truth be told, if you will really want to fight criminals, do you fight them with saints? Criminal Activities in Nigeria is not a tea party. No man is perfect.

Even America does not prosecute talented people who are alleged to have committed crimes, they apply their skills and talents for State Matters. Reckon the case of Frank Abagnale, who allegedly, before his 19th birthday, successfully performed cons worth millions of dollars by posing as a Pan American World Airways pilot, a Georgia doctor, and a Louisiana parish prosecutor.When he was arrested, they made him their agent and at a time he was an operational Czar for the FBI, bursting Fugitives around the world. His infamy was even turned around by the American Project to fame when they made a Hollywood blockbuster in his honour called: Catch me if you can – starring Leonardo Di Caprio. If Lawrence Anini was an American, they would not have killed him . They would have applied his skills to get the worst criminals in America.The issues of State are not for the faint-hearted. They are for the profound.

You don’t throw away the baby with the bathwater.

About the Author.

Douglas Ogbankwa Esq., @ douglasogbankwa@gmail.com , is a Benin Based Lawyer and Policy Analyst.He is also the Founder of the National Youth Movement for the Actualisation of Good Governance (NYMAGG).