"In every era the attempt must be made anew to wrest tradition away from a conformism that is about to overpower it. The Messiah comes not only as the redeemer, he comes as the subduer of Antichrist. Only that historian will have the gift of fanning the spark of hope in the past who is firmly convinced that even the dead will not be safe from the enemy if he wins. And this enemy has not ceased to be victorious." ---Walter Benjamin, "Theses on the Philosophy of History" (1940)

The Unknown But Known Assailants

It’s that time of the year again when we remember the passing on in very painful and unusual way Engineer Charles Alaba Joseph,(the late Mobitel Ltd Boss) a Brother, Cousin, Uncle, Friend, Husband, Father and Associate, all thanks to the Unknown but known assailants.

We remember and recall today and always how Charles was cut down and laid in a pool of his own blood and how an autopsy was conducted that showed that he died as a result of gun-shot (“Cranial Cerebral Injuries”) wound to his head. The position of his body to even a layman showed and debunked the initial lies sold to the media same day by the interests in the case.

One cannot but marvel at the capacity of us human to inflict the maximum of pain. I’m referring to the lackadaisical attitude of the former IGP Sunday Ehindero when Charles was cut down in what was so glaring. A man was shot to death, but our Police Chief will have us believe that his death was because he was fleeing from unknown assailants. And rather than continue with a full enquiry along the directional line of scientific evidence was so fast in closing the case, hence condemning it to the famous “Cold Case File“.

We cant be surprised anyway as most cases of murder under Ehindero’s watch were all treated in the same fashion and are yet to be resolved. There were so many pointers and clear indication that the Nigerian Police bungled this case. And it was very clear that there was ere a huge cover-up.

Thanks to the Lagos State Govt during the tenure of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the present Governor Mr Babatunde Fashola..SAN, and people like Prof Oluyemi Osinbajo -former Attorney-General of Lagos State, for acceding to our request for an inquest and for arranging for experts to be flown in. Also thanks to the doggedness of family members on ground and lawyers. In spite of the inquest showing that the Police did a shoddy job the Chief of Police refused to bulge.

We thank God for every single day, but regret to have to say that not having a proper closure to this case gives us pain. I could still remember all the Shenanigans that went on including the role of Intercontinental Bank - the bank responsible for the murder of my late husband while effecting a forceful takeover. The then receiver-manager Kemi Phinero must now believe that no one can indict him because “all he did was to take some armed guards and policemen to Mobitel Ltd to effect a takeover”…..

Charles Alaba Joseph gave of his best to each and everyone of us. Have we given of our best to him and the family he left behind? He’s done and gone, what are we doing to give of our best to our family, friends, community and Nation. Are we lackadaisical in terms of things that are important and prefer to join the Shifty-Race or cut the chase and do things in orderly and progressive manner. Posterity will judge us all.

There will be a Memorial Service for my Late Husband at the usual Regions on Monday 15th September, 2008.

"And as it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment’’ - Hebrew 9 Verse 27

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MRS Modupe Joseph resides in Canada