Probe, Don’t Probe by Udeh Kenneth N

I read reactions of many Nigerians on President Buhari's anti-graft blueprint.The word, 'probe' has blatantly been misused, misapplied and perhaps misinterpreted, out of context by most commentators. For many writers and bookmakers, probe is used interchangeably with prosecution,persecution and jail. And to an average Nigerian, 'probe' generates polysemic perceptions,thus  once the word is mentioned, it is understood to mean act of witch-hunt or punishment itself and many more negative meanings, both in denotation and connotation.What a national gaffe! Even the learned members of the fourth estate!
A.S.Hornby defines probe as follows:
1.To ask questions in order to find out secret or hidden information about somebody or something.
2.A thorough and careful investigation of something.
However, tersely put, probe means to search critically about something or somebody with a view to fining facts.
None of the above definitions is suggestive of witch-hunting. Probe is a process which leads to a certain action; it may propel prosecution, jail, witch-hunt and other negative meanings and beliefs of many Nigerians, only on the condition that its product or finding turns bad, but where probe result shows clean and positive in the context it is applied, the accused person or thing goes free and unharmed!
Now, I am supposed that Nigerians have understood the word probe. Clear conscience fears no accusation! Only those whose hands are bloody fear probe. PMB should probe.

Who should be probed? This is where I hope Commentators should voice. In my opinion, let the probe begin, let the probe be all-inclusive, expansive and non-selective. Let the probe go inward and outward, APC,PDP and others.
But PMB should be aware that the era of Decree is over, thus, like Bishop Kukah opined, probe and its appurtenances should follow due process and on point of law.

Should the probe results or findings show something or somebody standing or who has stood against the Nigerian state,regarding mismanagement of collective goods,like the Sultan of Sokoto, jail and witch-hunt should follow at once and looted funds plough back into the national coffers.    

Much noise about anti-graft and probe. It seems the media campaign about PMB's anti-corruption plan is turning into distraction of democratic governance too. Let the Nigerian masses not be hoodwinked by corruption fight on pages of national dailies and electronic media, yet in reality, reverse becomes the case. Nigerians want less talk and more work.
Nigeria is today the way it is because,nobody wants to probe; probe is seen as a useless venture and because, even when probe is conducted, findings are not made known for proper actions!

Probe examines the past, makes corrections for the present and ensures a better tomorrow. Everyone does probe! PMB has the will, let PMB probe and necessary actions taken to make Nigeria's future better. 

No intimidation! No DSS harrassment! No police brutality or invasion of private homes. Let the probe start now.

                        By Udeh, Kenneth N , High Court of Justice, Awka.
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