By Obi Trice
Chief Iheoma in connivance with some of his village elders pounced on a piece of land in their community and claimed it for Chief Iheoma. Chief Iheoma quickly began to cultivate on the land asserting his authority. Meanwhile Chief Olileanya believed that the land was his and had evidence to prove this. He took his documents and went to the Igwe Cabinet who were in charge of land to adjudicate the matter. The cabinet after looking at the evidence, agreed that chief Olileanya owned the land and not chief Iheoma who has been farming on the land with no documents.
Who do you think is the legitimate owner?
Many people think legitimacy is derived from their opinion or thoughts. Legitimacy is a function of the court, anything not certified by the court can’t be said to be legitimate in the truest sense of it. This is why the courts exit; to be a neutral arbiter for truth. To look at evidences and deduce truth using determined law, processes and regulations. Truth isn’t your assumption and prejudices. Truth is the ability for your evidences to withstand legal Inquisition.
This is why we go to the court when we are in dispute. When someone claims a property of ours, armed with the right evidence we head to court. When one makes a claim we don’t like we head to court to test the validity of that claim. You know why? Because we are in search of legitimacy and only the court can guarantee legitimacy according to our exact laws.
This is why I smile when I hear mischievous fellows attempt to deride HE Hope Uzodinma by calling him a Supreme Court Governor in a manner they attempt to make derogatory. Unknown to their senile minds, a Supreme Court Governor is one who has met full legitimacy. His claim to the gubernatorial seat was evaluated and rigorously checked to ensure it meant all guidelines and existing laws. A unanimous decision by the bench confirmed that he met all guidelines and existing laws and was subsequently conferred with legitimacy.
We are proud of the Supreme Court Governor for his authority comes from the highest body in the land empowered to confer legitimacy.