NIGERIA: A Box for Obodo

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Chief Obodo's dominion in the district of Abakaliki was as near to absolute as that of a padrone in a Sicilian village. The distant government in the capital city of Lagos hardly interfered. Chief Obodo had his own courts, collected goats and cows from the villagers for tribute, had his own murder squad to enforce his orders. He boasted: "After God comes Chief Obodo." When a contractor who had already begun negotiations discovered that Obodo was interested in the same job, he hurriedly withdrew, sent goats and libations to the chief as peace offerings. Obodo's power extended even to the seat of government. He ordered a legislator to resign from one political party and join another, otherwise "don't return to Abakaliki." The legislator did as he was told.

Then the incredible happened. Police arrived in Abakaliki, arrested Chief Obo-do for stealing a cow. The chief burst out laughing, cried: "Who owns all the people and all they own? Answer me!" But Obo-do was dragged off to jail and additionally charged with the murder of his wife. Last week, like any common criminal, Chief Obodo and four accomplices were hanged in Enugu prison after their appeal from the guilty verdict had been denied by the Privy Council of Eastern Nigeria. At least, that is what the villagers of Abakaliki have been told. None of them are prepared to believe that the majestic, awe-inspiring Chief Obodo is "properly dead" until his body is brought home from Enugu and they can test the evidence of touch and sight.