Diezani: Cancer As An Escape Hatch? No!

In certain grave situations, in situations when tears are not enough, you substitute with a wry and impotent laughter. Nigeria is the only country I know where thieves have no shame. A place where the victim gets more victimized and finds no pity, no succor. Former Petroleum minister reeled out her good education in defense of her light fingers, ostentatious lifestyle and atrocious spending of public funds while she was minister. How bitter! How strange! May God save us from a knowledge that does not benefit. What use has Diezani's education been to Nigeria? Diezani grasps like a squirrel, covets like a monkey and more avaricious than a wolf. She is easily the most decorated Nigerian thief. First Nigerian woman to be a director in an oil company, first female petroleum minister, first female OPEC President and all. Even Dasuki does not come a tad close. Dasuki is only the thief of thieves, an equal opportunity dispenser who facilitates equitable sharing of loot without fear or favor.
Reacting to reports that her house worth N3.8billion was seized with lots of expensive jewelry, she wrote; "When did it become a crime to own a property in Nigeria? When did it become a crime for a woman of my status to have in her possession, jewelry? Jewelry, which women all across the world, including the woman selling tomatoes in Bodija market have in abundance in their closets? In which court of law, anywhere in the world was I prosecuted by the EFCC and found guilty of corruption?" Sorry ma, please forgive them. Your salary in Shell and Mobil can buy you anything under the Sun. How much is $18million and other millions you have hidden abroad buying choice properties in world capital cities? How much is all the money fleeced from us by your unfortunate and irresponsible dalliance with Kola Aluko and other "small boys"? "Don't be annoyed ma". They are too poor ni o. Small monies puts them in a frenzy. Imagine the money involved is not even up to $100million! Poverty has blinded them and blocked their reasoning. Don't be angry please, they are just overzealous folks. The Bodija tomato seller you cited has three houses in Banana Island, wears diamond and travels in private jet. Oshi! Nonsense!

We got to this sorry pass because we are all beneficiaries of corruption one way or another. We condone it and explain it away using ethnic prisms. That is why a kleptoparasite like Diezani can stonewall, get self righteous and manufacture clouds of obfuscation to cover her obligate stealing. Oh! She has cancer! I see! By stealing so much from Nigeria, she has sent many people to their early graves. Many cancer patients in Nigeria today cannot get the help and access the care they need to survive because the care and equipment is not there. Most Nigerians cannot afford even primary health care because Diezani and her band of thieves have looted us dry. How dare you invoke your cancer to curry our sympathy! How dare you insult us! We don't want you to die and you shall not die. I pray you go into remission and survive cancer, so you can face the law or the law faces you. I want to see you in prison. I really do!

By:

Bamidele Ademola-Olateju