Forgive Her Too – She’s Only Human, Like KWAM1 – Babs Daramola

Barely a week ago, the nation was treated to the unforgettable spectacle of a Fuji icon, the revered Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, staging an unscripted drama at Abuja airport. For those who missed it, imagine this: an aircraft ready to take off, passengers strapped in, engines humming… and a man deciding, in the full bloom of celebrity privilege, that the runway was his stage and the captain would wait until he was ready.

We have since seen the aftermath: apologies tendered, explanations offered, friends mobilized, political associates deployed, all to convince us that we must “let bygones be bygones.” After all, “he is a national treasure” and “he has said sorry.” What is the rule of law, after all, compared to the warm fuzziness of selective forgiveness?

Now, along comes another player on our airborne drama series: a lady aboard an Ibom Air flight, who allegedly assaulted a hostess. The videos are clear. The outrage is loud. The verdict is swift. Ibom Air has slammed a lifetime ban. Nigerians are unanimous: “Let her be punished to the full extent of the law!”

And here, dear compatriots, is where my plea begins.

Let us forgive her too. Yes, you read that right. Forgive her. She too can say sorry. She too is someone’s “national treasure” – even if her nation is just her family WhatsApp group. Sauce for the goose, remember? Or is our kitchen so morally partitioned that we serve forgiveness à la carte?

If public apology is enough currency to purchase immunity from the law, why not let her shop with the same voucher? Perhaps she could release a heartfelt statement, laced with enough “I regret” and “I will never again,” and have a few prominent friends issue press releases about her “sterling contributions to society” (such as paying her taxes and not littering). Then, surely, the law can take the day off.

Because if we are a serious nation – and forgive me for giggling while I type that – then we must be consistent. The law, in its blindfold, should not be peeking to check the net worth, social capital, or discography of the accused before deciding the sentence.

So yes, forgive her too. Let her walk free. In fact, let’s make it a policy: airport infractions are hereby pardonable with a sincere smile and a chorus of “I’m sorry.” Let us crown the runway with equal opportunity lawlessness. That way, nobody will ever accuse us of hypocrisy again.

After all, this is Nigeria, where justice is not blind – she just winks at her favorites.

Daramola, a journalist writes from Lagos.