ILLUMINATION with CREATIVE MIND08169276283

ENLIGHTENING MINDS THROUGH THE VOICE OF THE PEN

THE BEAUTY OF LAW

Just as we find beauty in nature: in the dew that comes in the morning, in the sun that sets in the afternoon, in the moon that comes at night, in the stars that adorn the sky, in the rainbow that displays its colours, in the flower that blooms in the spring time, in the leaves that turn green in the raining season, in the soft and placid wave of the sea, in the fruits with their diverse shapes, colours and sweetness, in the cool and tender breeze that announces the coming of rain; just so we find the magnificence that cannot be measured in law.

Everything that God created is beautiful. Everything that adds value to humans existence is superb. Everything that works well is impressive; and so is every success in the journey for a noble development. God created the earth with beautiful words, beautiful words with a tone of authority. Authority has its origin in the rule of law. With law today, we might not know what would happen tomorrow but we sure know those things that should happen.

The definition of law I lack the words to express, how it operates remains mysterious; I only know there is no straight and sufficient definition of law. To me, law makes man the noblest of all animals; without law he is a wild beast. The beauty of law is the beauty of life; the beauty of life lies in how well we obey the law. The law may not make a man love me but it can keep him from killing me. Law is one heartbeat that links all natures.

The beauty of music can only be loved through the ear. The beauty of art may never be appreciated by the blind. Wealth may deprive the common men of the

beauty that lies in living in a palace. Every man cannot be an office-bearer. The science of medicine is imperfect without the law that regulates it, just as power without control leads to tyranny. The beauty of law affords every man one thing, so expensive that no amount of wealth can procure the least of it if not merited, so cheap that the most disadvantaged man on his death bed without a dime is abundantly entitled to it: justice.

It is always normal for me to sit in a lonely place and reflect on those growing standards of decency which has breathed new life into the unavoidable, cruel, barbaric and brutal punishment which would have been the typical song on the streets if not for this invisible saviour. The beauty of law unlike other sciences can be felt, seen, perceived and heard. So mild to exclude the children from its anger, knowing quite well they might have intended no damage. Oh! Law can be viewed as an African mother in this regard. I must not forget to say that it frowns with fury on criminals and violators in every part of the world. The science of law is no magic. Yet, it does wonders. In science, one may need a microscope to clear his uncertainty about onion having a cell but with law; even a sightless man can see justice being done. Be you so high, the law is above you, be you so low, the law would protect you.

One of the beauties lies in its substance fixed in morality: it is ethically wrong to make a promise you would not be able to fulfill, this is what law polished to read nemo dat quod non habet meaning you cannot give what you do not have. Also, the law teaches us to give as you cannot sow naught and reap bounty. In other words, qui pro quo, give something for you to get one. As rational creatures, humans tends to be irrational in selected occasions such as when under tension, incitement or distress, these the science of medicine addresses by the use of drugs such as downing drugs but the law better addresses this, you need not be told what would become of you if eventually you slay a man who annoys you. Law comes to play both when men are rational and when they are not; even a contract with an insane man is binding in his articulate period. Nemo tenetur ad

impossible, the law requires no man to achieve the impossible. Yet, even the rights of generations unborn are protected under the law.

The beauty of law includes its ability to live till eternity. Law is attached to the past; it is very much active today and of course it would still live to witness the exposure of the verdict day. Im convinced even Angels are guided by laws. Law is the best discipline on earth; I have no bit of doubt that it would sure be in heaven too. Like a magician, law foresaw the likely humiliation of leaving men to handle disputes in their own ways. Hence it is said that nemo judex incasasua (you cant be a judge in your own case). Sex, status, colour or infirmity is not a bar to fair hearing in the sanctuary of justice for audi alterem patem, the law would hear both sides. The law is not applied blindly and falsely: a guilty act alone does not suffice to justify punishment for crime; a guilty intent must be established.

There is law in everything and everything revolves round law. How did law found its way into Economics? The law of diminishing returns. Do you know about Faradays law of electrolysis in Physics? What about the laws of thermodynamics in Science? I predict no one is ignorant of the fact that our movement is predicated on the law of motion. The law of life itself is change. No field is selfsufficient without law, if you have your doubt; ask yourself why doctors, engineers, journalists, linguists, historians, writers and others patronize the court of law. A fault in law would categorically affect all natures. Even the ordinary acts of falling trees are regulated by environmental law. Injustice somewhere is undeniably a threat to justice everywhere.

The beauty of law for those who know it comes into play every time we breathe. We become assured that tomorrow is bright; we see the radiations of hope penetrating through our struggles to replenish it, we see the potential the world has to become another paradise by our obedience to the law. Everybody can live without law but nobody can ever live prudently without it: justice, equality,

freedom, liberty and human rights would be dishonoured with impunity; the essence of life is to live in peace barren of fear. If there were no law, the lives of common men would be used as a bet for dogs contest. The master would throw his servant into the ocean delightedly like a worthless coin for slumbering; the rich would set the houses of the lowly on fire for looking ugly and the big vehicles would hit the small ones knowingly to pave way.

I think I need to tell you these; you can enjoy the fruit of law without spending a dime. You need no noble predecessor to be received by the temple of justice. Your vocation or academic credentials are no requirements. The only cost you need make is to be vigilant since it is a time-honoured dictum in law that equity favours the vigilant and not the indolent.

The beauty of law is enormous; its essence is beyond every imagination. It is good to learn the law, it is better to know the law; the best is to live by the law. By doing these we are keeping the law and if we allow the law to guide us, it would surely guard us. An end to law might be an end to all.