This Is What Emeka Ugwuonye Wants

This question was explained to me by one of Emeka’s lawyers.

Emeka wants what most normal people want in life – to be a good father to his children, a good son to his mother, a good family man, a good professional who will contribute positively to his society and humanity at large. He has great taste in everything, be it wines, music, cars, friends, etc.

But the question is asked in respect of his current fight against the Nigerian police that landed him in prison without trial.

Why didn’t Emeka just walk away and avoid their trouble? Why didn’t he return to America? Or why didn’t he just mind his business?. He had the knowledge and skill to milk the country like many others and make millions and enjoy his life? Why didn’t he do that?  So, what does the man want?

I found an answer to these questions in a post Emeka Ugwuonye made few days before his arrest. He wrote, as if he knew that we would ask this question after his arrest:

“I cannot accept to be quiet in a country where there is so much injustice, where the police abuse the rights of citizens as if they are animals or slaves. I have to try to stop that by at least criticizing them. I don’t want to succumb to fear. I want to enjoy in Nigeria the rights I enjoyed in the US – the right to say my mind, the right to criticize even the president, the right to go anywhere I want. The right to be free of fear. And I want my people to have these rights too. For that reason, I will not leave Nigeria and I will speak against injustices by the police. I want to be an advocate of due process”.

Emeka understood that for him to try to change the society, he has to make some sacrifices. He sees his current challenges as the sacrifice he has to make. He accepted it in good fate and he is as resolute as ever. He will triumph in the end. According to him, if I succeed in setting people free, I shall go to my grave a happy man”.

I think that’s what Emeka Ugwuonye wants.