#FreeAkoguns: Abdulrasheed Akogun Shoboi Speaks After His Release
By Oyewale Oyelola
Kwara born award winning journalist, Abdulrasheed Akogun fondly called Shoboi has announced his next line of action after his release from prison over allegations of defamation raised by the Chief Press Secretary to Kwara Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye.
Abdulrasheed Akogun and his brother, Dare Akogun were granted bail on Wednesday by Ilorin Magistrate Court after spending five days at Mandala Correctional Center, Ilorin.
Rafiu Ajakaye had on October 7, 2022 submitted a petition to Police against the two journalists for accusing him of influencing Kwara NUJ election with N15million in 2021.
Below is full text of Article by Abdulrasheed Akogun Shoboi
BURDEN OF FREEDOM
Deliverance is release from the oppressor, but freedom is deliverance from oppression – Myles Monroe
The prophetic words of the late Bahamian minister Myles Monroe aptly captures my state of state, as I struggle to put this together, almost 24 hours after being granted bail from incarceration at Mandala medium prison, Ilorin, Kwara State.
I’ve struggled to no avail to push out the inside the wall realities, the sufferings, rejection, strangulating hunger, hopelessness and man’s inhumanity to man etc all which I met and left inside the mandala walls.
These are too heavy a burden for me to carry and not have sleepless nights or attempt to go into retirement from fighting the cause I’ve always been known for.
I saw an awaiting trial inmate with a decaying leg and lap, inmates who prefers prison to outside world, because of stable access to ‘food’, among several others pointer to our collective failure of being our brothers’ keepers.
Thus, just like King Edward VIII said when he abdicated the throne, I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of looking the other side or prioritizing any other task over actions geared towards bringing medium, short or lasting succor respectively to the table of the inmates.
While I appreciate the role played by all and sundry in ensuring my ‘freedom’ is restored, that which I’ll live to appreciate till I breadth no more. I promise that we’ll continue to agitate for a society where we all become equals before the law, where oppression will be totally banished and celestial tranquility enthroned, a battle which we must and shall sustain will all vigor.
However, the priorities of my next line of actions, will be focused on helping as many as possible inmates out of the walls or help achieve a more dignifying stay behind the walls.
On those expecting my take on the petitioner and his ‘nodgers’ I say May Allah bless and reward them all accordingly.
As for me, I’m relying on Scott King celestial words where he said “hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated” or the Greek philosopher Aeschylus when he said “for the poison of hatred seated near the heart doubles the burden for the one who suffers the disease; he is burdened with his own sorrow, and groans on seeing another’s happiness.
I am at peace, I am happy, I have neither regrets nor do I nurse hatred whatsoever towards anyone, regardless of the overt and covert roles played.
I thus plead to leave you in the hands of the legendary John F. Kennedy where he said
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
The struggle continues!
