The conviction and sentencing of a man to life imprisonment for raping his step-daughter, as reported in this paper today, should serve as an eye-opener to any law-breaker in this country.
In delivering his judgment, the high court judge said the prosecution had proven their case beyond all reasonable doubt, and that the convicted person was guilty as charged.
All sorts of crimes are being reported in the country, almost every day.
Robbery, burglary, theft, rape, murder, and obtaining money by false pretence and so on are on the increase, going by court reports.
The crimes are becoming so rampant that we fear our society being overrun by crime and criminals.
Some time ago, the convict was arraigned in court charged with the offence of raping his own step-daughter. As expected, he stood trial for his alleged crime and, unfortunately for him, he has been found guilty by the court.
One lesson for everybody is that one cannot always get away with a crime. The long arm of the law will always catch up with one.
It is a clear way of saying that we have to learn to live within the confines of the law. And that anyone who steps outside the law will not be tolerated.
Another lesson is that disputes should be resolved amicably without recourse to violence. The police are there to intervene in case of heated disputes. That is what they are paid to do.
It is pointless getting violent when the police can easily be brought in to resolve a dispute. If most of those who commited crimes had not taken the law into their own hands, they would have been free men today.
Very importantly, the law should also be stern on all offenders such as rapists, thieves and burglars. They, in their own selfish and wicked ways, ruin people’s lives.
When they begin to get severe sentences, it is likely that others will be wary of taking after them.
"The pursuit of truth does not permit violence on one’s opponent."
Mohandas Gandhi
