By Bayo Fasunwon

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One of the most significant culture identification trait is dressing. So the saying that the way you dress is the way you would be addressed actually makes more meaning in its cultural sense. Amongst the West Africans, a traditional coat is often worn by men and are known by various names. Thus Babariga, Agbada and even Boubou have become sub regional nomenclatures. Amongst the Yorubas, Agbada is well known, sought after and adorned mostly by all men. It is worn for celebrations, and mostly the garb of rich men for all times. The material used in sewing and the expensive embroidery done on these Agbadas distinguishes the rich from the poor. One unique feature of the Agbada is that it is very large, has big pockets, and can conveniently hide things away from prying eyes. It is very good attire worn by men to hide their potbellies, while the women adorn their styles to even hide pregnancy.
However, in history traditional attires in whatever form has been used to soil the hands of the pure and social crusaders. The cloths as gifts are always given by criminals to those whose integrity needs to be soiled. ‘Rere Run’ and ‘Koseegbe’ are two books that clearly show the strategies of thieves to handcuff and arm-twist those who seek an end to their inglorious acts. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala had also emphasized that when corruption is fought against, corruption would fight back. However, the war mounted by corruption is often not by the shedding of blood, but by ensuring that those who fight against corruption are also corrupted and silenced. When it comes to the employment of attires as Banana peels against justice evangelists, late Dr. Tai Solarin and DCP Abba Kyari comes to mind.
Dr. Tai Solarin, who incidentally left Nigeria and the world 27 years ago on July 27, was one of long standing advocate of social justice. He fought with his pen, protest, interviews, and teachings against corruption, injustice, impoverishment, and illiteracy. From the 1960s to the early years of the 1990s, he was seen by the people in power as an enemy of the State. On several occasions, he was captured and sent to different dreaded jails in Nigeria. Despite his asthmatic condition, he survived the various inhuman treatments in the hands of those who wanted to entrench corruption as a national policy. He revolutionized the education sector with the establishment of his private secondary and primary schools, on the principle of atheism. Many great men in Nigeria benefitted from his scholarship programmes, medical intervention, and recommendations. A world war veteran, he did not succumb to the temptations of fleeing Nigeria, but dug his heels in the sand, weathered the storm and revolutionized social thoughts and gave impetus to the growth of civil liberty organisations in Nigeria. Many attempts were made by the government to buy, pacify, and silence him through appointments, inducements, financial aids, and bullying but none seemed to work until he succumbed to the pressure to wear and Agbada.
Prior to the few minutes’ error, that dented his image; he had donned himself in his traditional Khaki shorts, shirt, cap, and sneakers. He had vowed never to wear trousers, native dresses or any other wears, until education became a right and is accessible for all Nigerians. Until the Nigeria of his dreams was birthed, his revolutionary dress code would remain. However, he bowed to pressures and decided to wear the ‘Better Life for Rural Women’ Aso Ebi, which comprised a beautiful Agbada. That broke the hearts of many Nigerians who felt that the social critic had pitched tent with their tormentors. He was broken. Although he reverted to his revolutionary uniform, many of his followers did not recover from their disappointment.
DCP Abba Kyari is also in the eyes of the storm. Hushpuppi had confessed that the latter had helped in subduing a rival con man, and had received ‘honorarium’ on different occasions for being their accomplice in power. However, the DCP had been quick to refute the accusation and offered an explanation all he received for a job well done were good attire (Agbada probably). He has also acknowledged that criminals had handcuffed him with materials of short-term value. Now, DCP Abba Kyari who joined the police force in 2005 is an accomplished officer.
He has been awarded IGP commendation medal for courage (2012, 2013, 2014), Lagos State Governor’s award for Gallantry, Leadership and Service excellence (2011, 2012, 2013), Lagos State Commissioner of Police Commendation Award for courage (2011), best Anti-Crime Police Officer in West Africa from Security Watch Africa, Star Award from CRAN (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), Star Award for Outstanding Gallantry In Africa (2018) by Security watch Africa, Africa’s Best Detective Of the Year (2018)’ best Police officer of the Decade Award, 2018 HERO of the year Award by Silverbird Group and Presidential medal for courage from President Mohammadu Buhari on (2016). He had successfully arrested notorious criminals and made them to face prosecution. His name had become a dread among die-hard criminals. Unfortunately, the pottage of Esau and the beautiful Agbada has incarcerated his image. His dinner with the King of Scammers has dented his image forever.
His indictment in this case puts the Federal Government in a dilemma. Given his explained action against Abbas Huspuppi’s criminal associate, would there be a need to revisit all his past arrests, investigate, and determine if they were vendetta arrests purchased by the Agbada spirit? Would the Presidency who prides itself in the inglorious excellence of forceful extradition succumb and release the star officer to the United States to prove his innocence? Are some criminals more immune against justice than others? Would the Presidency protect a Northerner, while a South Westerner is being pulled in from Benin, while a South Easterner is in custody? Whichever way it would go, Nigerians should stop the oniine prosecution of Hushpuppi , DCP Abba Kyari and other fingered players in the crime game. These ones should also follow the right channels and desist from online response to allegations.
Agbada has stripped both the nation and his celebrated DCP naked. The world watches, and is willing to judge the country’s anti-corruption war. The lesson to learn in all these peculiar mess is that nothing is hidden under the sun. Moreover, law enforcement agents ought to desist from being bossom friends to criminals. More can of worms are still expected in this case, let us keep our fingers crossed. But all eyes are on the President to do the needful about Kyari’s indictment.