IGP ABBA, PER JUSTICE ASHI'S ORDER, THE NIGERIAN POLICE MUST CONFISCATE THE BOOK, “MY WATCH” FROM THE WHOLE WORLD

Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, by now should be aware that various authorities in our ever exciting country know you as the man to do the unusual job, so it is no surprise that a Nigerian judge is ordering the police force and other law enforcement bodies to search every nook and corner of Nigeria, and indeed all across the world, for a particular book, “My Watch”.

Sir, as you may know, ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo's book has fully sold out locally, with the inadvertent instant advertisement by Justice Valentine Ashi , the trial judge on this matter.

Sir, in addition to possibly blocking importation of more of “My Watch”, what about its electronic format? Will it not be beyond the reach of our law enforcement forces? But still pursuing the impossible, in fact, the Judge could pass out a third order against the cyber world for the purpose of confiscating all copies of “My Watch”!

IGP Abba, as you may know the book was published and distributed a month before Justice Ashi's December 5th and 10th court order. Nevertheless the learned Justice absolutely believes that in your capacity as an Africa-based police chief and, as a man of unusual operations, you have the men and women capable of visiting the entire globe and seizing a book already in global circulation.

IGP Abba, could you imagine our law enforcement officers searching and picking up copies of “My Watch” from classrooms, libraries, schools, shops, offices, and even from homes, dormitories, vehicles, and from other settings within Nigeria and beyond?

We expect soon, if you have not already, that you may smash into the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Nigeria , to get your force there as fast as you can hoping that you might find some copies. Or perhaps, you may ask the Director of the State Security Service (SSS) to send in our secret detectives as quickly as possible, they know how to do the job nastier.

IGP Abba, amazingly, this is what Justice Ashi is demanding of you, especially when he has since issued a restraining order not once but twice, in regards to confiscating the autobiography.

There is a strong chance that you have to do this, given the report that the plaintiff, Buruji Kasahmu, is a very close friend to our president.

Sir, what is it about you and the already challenged Nigeria law enforcement officials (domestic detectives included) that these authorities see that make them believe it is fully possible for you and our agents to be able to search and confiscate the book locally and internationally?

Sir, you may need more men and women to travel afar because suddenly the book has gained broader attraction. It is now being read and distributed across Nigeria, and globally in places like Angola, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom, and United States of America.

Sir, per Justice Ashi's order, time is short as this case is under a 21-day ultimatum for revisiting, actually by January 13, 2015, by which time your men and women must have returned from overseas in full possession of thousands to millions of anything having to do with “My Watch” , and in full containers bring them to the door of the registrar!

Just within Nigeria alone, this task now given to you is at best illogical and absurd. Yet, as this is an authoritative order, irrespective of the reality that the book is on its face is a personal story, a memorial message, a political mark, and a free speech work, you must act now! Sir, forget about the fact that the former President has appealed the order given by Justice Ashi. So what? This is Nigeria!

Again, IGP Abba, what is the thinking behind Justice Ashi's order? What has caused him to literally get so angry at a particular book that he asks policemen and women to locate and confiscate the said book by every and any means possible?

This is a question beyond this discourse. As such, in your capacity as a police chief on behalf of ALL Nigerians, it is your duty to ask him why he has chosen to litigate against the entire world as it relates to the distribution and sale of the book, which you are expected to put a stop to right now.

Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi is a Forensic, Clinical and National Psychologist and a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. [email protected]