By Ikechukwu Amaechi
Former
President Olusegun Obasanjo released his autobiography, My Watch, on Tuesday,
December 9 at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja.
President Jonathan and Obasanjo
He defied
an Abuja High Court order obtained by a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
chieftain, Buruji Kashamu, barring him from releasing the book. Rather than
obey the order, Obasanjo wanted Justice Valentine Ashi sanctioned. The
judge had ordered that the book launch be put on hold over claims by Kashamu
that the three-volume series contained details of a libel case involving a drug
trafficking allegation Obasanjo made against him, which is already before the
court. Obasanjo’s excuse that the book
had been published before the order was made is as ludicrous as it is bizarre.
But that
is quintessential Obasanjo, who has no respect for others, who revels in
desecrating hallowed institutions. Holding him in contempt of court,
Ashi on Wednesday, December 10 gave him 21 days to demonstrate why he should
not be punished for publishing the book.
“The fact that the book was
published in November is irrelevant. As long as the substantive suit is not yet
determined, no party is entitled to publish or comment on material facts that
are yet to be decided on by the court,” the judge said.
