When The Cock Judges The Cockroach: The Illusion Of Justice In Natasha’s Trial -By Isaac Asabor

In the wild, the cockroach and the cock belong to different realms of power. The cock rules the roost, strutting with unchecked authority, while the cockroach scurries in the shadows, forever vulnerable to the whims of the mighty bird. In a contest between the two, the outcome is inevitable, the cockroach never wins. This analogy perfectly encapsulates the travesty of justice witnessed in the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, where the accused still maintain his position as president of the Senate, making justice not just elusive but an outright illusion.

In an ideal democracy that upholds the rule of law, fairness and impartiality should be the guiding principles of justice, requiring the Senate President to temporarily step aside until the case is concluded. But in Nigeria, these principles crumble under the weight of political interests, leaving justice as a privilege reserved for the powerful. Natasha’s case was doomed from the start, not because she lacked evidence or credibility, but because she was literarily a cockroach in a case presided over by the cock. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, deeply enmeshed in Nigeria’s political establishment, should never have been allowed to play judge in a matter where he had a direct interest. Yet, the Nigerian system, in its characteristic manner, normalized this glaring conflict of interest.

The principle of fair hearing dictates that an impartial arbiter, free from bias and vested interests, should oversee disputes. However, Natasha’s case was a mockery of this principle. How could she have possibly expected justice when the very person accused of wrongdoing had the final say? The sheer absurdity is akin to a chicken farm where the rooster calls a meeting to decide if the cockroach deserves to live.

From the onset, Natasha was merely playing along in a script where the ending had been predetermined. It is akin to watching a football match where the referee is also the captain of one team, there is no contest, only a spectacle. Akpabio’s role in the proceedings cemented what many already knew: in Nigeria, justice is often just a façade.

It was therefore surprising to see notable figures, including Oby Ezekwesili, calling for justice in such a rigged game. What exactly were they expecting? That Akpabio, the accused, would miraculously find a moral compass and rule against himself? That the Nigerian political system, which thrives on impunity, would suddenly become just? That power would relinquish its grip for the sake of fairness? Such expectations, however well-intended, only serve to mask the bitter truth: without systemic reform, justice will remain a luxury available only to the powerful.

Natasha’s suspension from the Senate, coming on the heels of accusation of sexual harassment and her N100 billion defamation lawsuit against Akpabio, reeks of political vengeance. Her resistance to the reassignment of her Senate seat became the final straw that led to her silencing. While she faces suspension for daring to challenge the establishment, Akpabio and his allies continue to wield power with impunity. The pattern is clear: dissenters are crushed, and those in power use every tool at their disposal to maintain dominance.

This scenario is symptomatic of a deeper malaise in Nigeria’s democracy, where political power is weaponized against opposition rather than serving as an instrument for governance. Natasha’s ordeal is a cautionary tale for those who still harbor hopes of justice in a system designed to serve the interests of a select few. Until the structure is reformed, justice in Nigeria will remain what it is today, a game where the cock presides over the fate of the cockroach, with a foregone conclusion every time.

Looking at the broader implications of Natasha’s ordeal, it is not a misnomer to opine that her case is not just about one woman’s fight against an oppressive political establishment and sexual harassment from a male colleague. It is a reflection of the broader reality in Nigeria, where the justice system has been hijacked by those in power to serve their own interests. The Natasha-Akpabio saga is just one of many cases where the rule of law is distorted to punish opposition figures while shielding the politically connected from accountability.

Consider the numerous corruption cases involving high-ranking politicians that never see the light of day. When the accused are powerful, investigations drag on indefinitely, court cases are postponed indefinitely, and in some cases, the files simply disappear. Conversely, when an opposition figure or a whistleblower dares to challenge the status quo, the system moves swiftly to suppress them, using whatever means necessary, legal or illegal.

This pattern is not new. From the days of military rule to the so-called democratic dispensation, Nigeria has maintained a culture of selective justice. The country has seen countless political figures and activists persecuted for standing against the government. Prominent figures have faced relentless intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and legal battles designed to drain their resources and silence their voices.

Natasha’s suspension also sends a chilling message to other lawmakers and political figures who might be considering standing up to those in power. It is a stark warning that anyone who dares to challenge the ruling elite will face severe consequences. This authoritarian approach to governance is the very antithesis of democracy, which is supposed to encourage debate, accountability, and the rule of law.

Be that as it may, there is an urgent need for systemic reforms. Without a doubt, the Natasha-Akpabio debacle underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms in Nigeria’s political and judicial institutions. The separation of powers, a fundamental principle in any democratic society, is all but nonexistent in Nigeria. The executive and legislative arms operate more like extensions of the ruling party rather than independent bodies meant to check each other’s excesses.

A truly independent judiciary is crucial if Nigeria is to ever experience real justice. The practice of political figures presiding over cases in which they have vested interests must be abolished. There must be legal safeguards in place to ensure that no individual is allowed to act as judge in their own case, a principle so basic that its violation should be unthinkable. And yet, in Nigeria, it is the norm.

Furthermore, civil society organizations and international human rights bodies must amplify their advocacy efforts to expose and challenge these injustices. The Nigerian public, too, must wake up to the reality that justice will not be served on a silver platter. If citizens do not demand accountability, the current cycle of impunity will persist, and the cock will continue to judge the cockroach.

The Natasha-Akpabio case is a glaring example of how power is wielded in Nigeria to suppress opposition and silence dissenting voices. It exposes the deep flaws in the country’s justice system, where the accused can also play the judge. Until systemic reforms are implemented, justice will remain a tool for the powerful and a mirage for the weak.

The analogy of the cock and the cockroach serves as a grim but fitting metaphor for the political reality in Nigeria. In a system where power dictates justice, the cockroach never stands a chance. The fight for justice must continue, but it must be waged with the understanding that until the structure is dismantled, fairness and equity will remain elusive dreams.