By Dapo Akinrefon

Mr. Arthur Boje  is the International President, National Association of Seadogs, NAS. In this interview, Boje speaks on the notion by members of the public that Pyrates Confraternity is a secret cult. He also bares his mind on burning national issues.

Do you think the recent clampdown on the judiciary is healthy for our democracy?

The healthiness has question mark. There is no law that says that you should go and arrest someone in the morning, afternoon or evening. There is also no law that stipulates that you have to inform your suspect that you are coming to arrest him/her. During the course of investigation, an investigating agency would have known the appropriate time to carry out an arrest. There is this notion in Nigeria that people should be arrested at a particular time of the day, but it is not so.

Do not forget that the arrest was based on allegations. Politically, some persons might want to say the manner of arrest was wrong because the climate has been polarised along political lineages. However, if the reason for the arrest is based on claims, then you have to investigate the case. Do not forget that arresting someone does not mean the person has been convicted or sent to jail. Even in the judicial system you have the same polarisation but I do not think that it is right that because my brother stole and I have not been able to arrest him, then I should not arrest someone else who also stole. Everything has its time.

You will be slapping our democracy in the face if you do not arrest someone that you have evidences against. You cannot use one wrong to correct another wrong. The arrest might be polarised, but those who were arrested are already confessing to the crime as contained in what we read in the newspapers. I believe that when there are evidences against those who are yet to be arrested, the authority will swing into action. I do not see anything wrong in this clampdown on judges. If they are exonerated, they will be set free.

It was alleged that some of the arrested judges were in possession of huge sums of money. Is there anywhere in the constitution where restrictions are placed on the amount of cash an individual could have in his house?

When you travel out or come into the country, there are restrictions on the amount of cash you could hold. If it exceeds the stipulated amount you will have to declare it, failure to do that will lead to confiscation of the cash. In the judicial system, there are laws guiding their mode of operations. For example, as a judge you cannot accept certain gifts and you cannot request for a loan. However, in criminal cases, he who alleges must prove. The allegations against the judges are claims that must be proved by the prosecutor.

But people believe that the President Muhammadu Buhari corruption war is selective, do you agree?

You can believe on personal opinion that it is selective. It depends on the side of the political divide that you belong. If a member of party A is being investigated and those in party A believe that someone in party B is also corrupt but not being investigated because it is party B that is in power, it is left for those in party A to make a genuine case based on proofs. Some people will always say President Buhari is not doing anything, while others will say he is doing something. But if someone in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party can produce proof of corruption against some of the names being mentioned in the All Progressives Congress, I believe the President will act.

What is the association’s position on the resurgence of militants in the Niger Delta region?

The Niger Delta Avengers believe that they have some form of control over the oil pipelines that pass through their communities- that is why they are fighting. At the end of the day they are actually looking for amnesty and compensations, they are not really fighting for the interest of the communities but their pockets. If the government now grants amnesty, some other groups will emerge.

But the government could use a double-edged sword to address the issue of militancy by dealing with the infrastructure devastation in the region. Look at Warri in Delta State for instance, it is still impoverished. If there is proper infrastructure development, the government can come out boldly to question the agitations. If these issues are addressed it may stem down insurgency in the region. Issues like the provision of pipe borne water, electricity, good roads, school, and health facilities, among others should be addressed.

Again, when there are really no reasons for agitations the people themselves will boldly uncover those behind the pipeline destructions. These militants are not faceless, the people know them. We also need to understudy the international communities like the Republic of Ireland that have faced similar challenges in the past. They were able to come out of it by addressing the infrastructural decay. It is not always come and settle us and you give them money.

Nigeria was recently ranked as one of the most corrupt nations. What is your take on this?

I am not only worried that we were rated among the most corrupt nations but I am disturbed because I live stay outside Nigeria. They have very negative impressions about Nigeria in Europe and America. It is so sad when you will see the way a professor from Nigeria is being manhandled by those who are not near where they are. You need to witness the way they treat most of our responsible Nigerians outside this country because we are from Nigeria.

Sometimes I do not blame them because of the attitude and behaviour of some of our leaders who know no other thing than to steal money in huge sums to hide in these countries. There is the general belief out there that all Nigerian leaders are corrupt.

Do you think President Buhari should focus only on corruption?

I do not think that President Buhari is focusing on corruption alone. I agree that he has emphasised it because of the number of persons that are involved in it. So many influential persons have stolen our money in Nigeria and they have all gone to invest it outside. Gradually these monies are being retrieved and it is reawakening the consciousness of Nigerians. I believe that if we address corruption, it will provide solutions to the so many questions in the lips of Nigerians. It does not however mean that President Buhari should concentrate alone on tackling corruption.

The president has consistently blamed past leaders as being responsible for the current economic recession facing the country, do you think he should go after past leaders instead of arresting their aides?

It goes back to what we have been saying. Do not forget that President Buhari under the civilian regime will rely on concrete allegations made by members of the public. If you think a past president is corrupt, it is left for you to provide your proof to the agency saddled with anti-graft.