For Blood And Country

February 25, 2014 - BABATUNDE

As I sat waiting for the Attorney General to attend to me, I could feel my body grow weaker by the minutes. It was half past five and I still had to get back to Lagos when I was done. After waiting for what seemed like eternity, I must have dozed off for a while because I started when the receptionist called me and told me she was ready to see me.

"Good evening ma'am." I said stepping into her office.

"Good evening Mr Sogbesan. Sorry for keeping you waiting."

"It's quite alright, I didn't wait too long."

"Please sit." She said motioning for him to sit opposite her.

Her office was luxuriously furnished with a Kurdistan covering the whole length of the room and the table, with the documents and files on it neatly arranged, was probably made from something expensive. The window to the left of the table had a nice view of the Aso Rock and the air conditioner blew colder than that in the reception room, it felt as though I just stepped into the Artic. I felt a shiver run down my body.

"I'll go straight to the point Mr Sogbesan. I've been following your work, and I'm impressed by how hard working you are."

"Uhm, thank you ma…"

"Which was what made me decide to bring you on my team, I want you to come work for the ministry of justice and head the Citizen's Right Department."

I just stared at her. I must have looked bewildered – I felt bewildered – because she asked if everything was alright.

"With all due respect ma'am, is this some kind of joke?"

"What do you mean?"

"I spend most of my time condemning how the government treats its citizens, how corrupt the leaders are and how unjust the justice system is, and you tell me to come work for this same government?"

"Look Mr Sogbesan, everyone knows how corrupt the leaders are. But we need fiercer people like you in places of power to say no to the leaders every now and then; someone who knows what they are doing, someone with integrity. This is not a one-man fight, Mr Sogbesan, we need all hands on deck in the fight against corruption. Our job here goes beyond just working for the government. We work for the people and bring cases against the government. We protect the right of the citizens and you know that."

I scoffed, "I can't remember when last the ministry fought for the right of the people."

"Which is why we need people like you. I can't do this alone."

"I know what this is; you're trying to silence me. You think once you offer me a job, I'll just jump on board? You don't know me that well then ma'am. I am not a sell-out."

"Oh please, this is not selling out. This is doing what's best for your country. This right here is an opportunity to serve your country and make a real difference. Not just shouting on camera in the name of activism. I want you to help promote the human rights arm of the ministry and I'm offering you the tools you need. You want leaders to quit being corrupt? Make them!"

I knew she had a point, but I never thought of making change that way. It meant taking the fight directly to corrupt leaders. This was an opportunity to prosecute corrupt politicians that misuse power and conduct cases against the government from within the government. It was very enticing but I was not planning to work for the government so I could change things for the better. That was how people got drawn to the dark side. I knew she either meant what she said or it was a tactic to put a close eye on me. It's like they say, keep your friends close…

"Look, I'll give you till Friday to think it through." She said when I remained quiet. "I'll have my driver take you to the airport," she said, getting up. I got up too and shook hands with her.

As the car pulled out, I knew it was going to be a tough choice to make but I had three days to make up my mind.