“It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. The act of dying is not of importance, it lasts so short a time” – Samuel Johnson.
The country woke up to the shocking news of the premeditated murder of Ahmad Hussein-Suale, an investigative journalist affiliated with renowned undercover journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas. The murder has attracted a lot of condemnation from individuals and organizations in the country and beyond. And rightly so, they are all calling on the security agencies to expedite investigations and bring the culprits to book. Yours truly adds his small voice to the roaring voices making the call.
At the mention of Hussein-Suale’s killing, one name that easily comes to mind is that of Wofa Ken, a vociferous legislator from the Elephant stock. And why not? We’ve been told by an ancient proverb that, “If a witch cries in the night and a child dies in the morning, we do not go to the soothsayer to ask what killed the child.”
The ancient proverb may not be foolproof and the witch may be innocent, but the reality is that the witch should be among the first to be questioned in relation to the child’s death. The decision not to question the witch at all may raise eyebrows and make people smell a stinking rat.
Of course, Wofa Ken may be innocent. Maybe his outburst on national television about the deceased is not connected to the murder. But he still has questions to answer.
Wofa Ken has vehemently proclaimed his innocence and wondered why Anas rushed in putting out a video to point accusing fingers at him. He also wondered if it could be a ploy to distract the attention of the security agencies from the real culprits. For sure, that is another angle worth exploring by the security agencies.
Frankly, I’m surprised Wofa Ken has allowed himself to be caught by the same trap twice. Was it not his loose talk and reckless actions that led to his treason trial and the kill-an-ant-with-a-bulldozer comment by then President Ogwanfunu? Same loose talk and reckless actions have colluded to put a very tight noose on his neck.
Despite the show of bravado in his interviews after Hussein-Suale’s murder, one could tell Wofa Ken has been shaken by the turn of events. I do understand the firm resistance he is putting up against the murder tag being put on him. But, once again, he has not learnt any lesson from his loose talk and reckless actions.
If I were him, I would express regret for displaying the deceased’s picture on national television, then prove my innocence by patiently explaining issues. His recalcitrant stance may infuriate others to revenge Hussein-Suale’s death, even if he (Wofa Ken) is innocent.
It is also obvious that those shouting ‘revenge, revenge’ on national television have also not learnt any lesson from Wofa Ken’s loose talk and reckless actions. What if something happens to Wofa Ken and people start pointing accusing fingers at them for the ‘revenge’ call? Need I remind them how fate and circumstances usually collude to change the direction of the tide of one’s destiny?
My prayer is that they reject that thought because revenge is the Lord’s. Indeed, an attempt to revenge may change their lives for the worse. Are they ready to spend the rest of their lives in prison or lose their own lives when apprehended?
Blinded by anger and the thirst for revenge, they may answer in the affirmative. They will express false bravado until reality sets in and they find themselves in the grips of the law. There and then will they realize the value of the freedom they are enjoying now.
So my unsolicited counsel to the revenge advocates is this wise saying I read somewhere: “There is no need for revenge. Just sit back and wait. Those who hurt you will eventually screw up themselves, and if you’re lucky, the Bearded Old Man above will let you watch.”
While we urge the security agencies to leave no stone unturned in the efforts to unravel the mystery behind Hussein-Suale’s gruesome murder, all we can do is pray for his soul to have peace with its Maker in Samanfoland.
See you next week for another interesting konkonsa, Deo volente!