Several years ago while heading a small unit in a Federal Eovernment establishment, I consulted my boss over a lacunae that prevented the Unit from operating an optimum capacity. I suggested that if we could get staff to come in voluntarily and work on Saturdays, over a period of three months, we could bridge the gap and radically improve the overall productivity of the large organization. This would however require an ‘incentive’ for the staff who will sacrifice their weekends for the benefit of the organization. The Boss readily agreed and approved the suggestions. 

On commencement day, I went  to the houses of all staff and drove them, in my car, to the office. With the incentive in their minds and a full supply of coffee and snacks, morale and enthusiasm were high, and so was productivity. Everyone came, except a young, female staff who, later, confided in her friend she spent the weekend in the house of her fiancé and he did not like the idea. She was not at home when we visited, so we left a Note on her door.

Morale was even higher when I distributed envelopes. The young female was not on the list, and her colleagues taunted her, so she came to my office to request for her ‘share’. Imagine my response. 

Visibly angry, she stomped out and went directly to the Boss, who she called ‘Uncle’, and complained that I refused to give her what he approved for everybody. When he raised the issue, I explained, and he supported my action.

Two days later, Admin addressed a Memo to me, requesting that I explain “within 48 hours, why disciplinary action should not be taken upon” me for sexual harassment of a female staff working in my Unit. The young lady had complained to Admin that I sexually harassed her continuously in the office and even followed her home. In fact, she alleged, the weekend duty was created as part of the harassment. She cited the Note we left on her door when we went to pick her up for weekend duty. Her allegation resounded throughout the organization, in spite of my reputation, and many pronounced me guilty as hell. 

It took the grace of Allah to extricate me from the entangles and nightmare of this lady-shaitan. An Investigation Committee was constituted and memos flew in every direction. After two appearances before the Committee, each staff had to write individually to state what happened pre and post the weekend we visited her house. The Boss was also consulted. But it took a nightmarish two months to reclaim my integrity.

Reflecting on this and similar issues many years down the line, it struck me that “smart” women do not shy away from utilizing this gift of nature: men are the guilty party in all cases of sexual harassment, behind which women can always hide the most heinous atrocities. Even in the United Nations Organization. And when Investigating Committees are constituted, the sympathies are with the woman, always. 

It does not matter that she came to the office in tight dresses that reveal all of God’s endowments; it does not matter that her low-cut dress show half of her breasts; it does not matter that she flaunts her body to taunt all male folks. It does not matter that she harassed everyone with her loud perfume. It does not matter that she came late, must be assisted to perform her duties and broke three-quarters of work rules and ethics. The man is guilty. Because she alleged.

Islamic rules and ethics took care of all these with the hijab, the separation of work and study places and many other regulations that govern interactions. But we refuse to apply them although we claim piety elsewhere. We amusedly accept ibadah but reject shari’a. And insist we want social justice and tranquility. Paradox? Contradictions? Really, who is guilty of sexual harassment? 

This Community, Katsina, with its history and culture, with its leadership and integrity, with its troves of knowledge and reputation, has everything it takes to lead Northern Nigeria in setting standards. It has begun. All of Northwest Nigeria is copying the creation of the novel idea of the Community Watch Corps. Unlike attempts to do similar things in the past, even the loud mouths of other parts of this country could not find anything to criticize in CWC. The novelty can be repeated in other areas. *This Islam that we profess, lays more emphasis on preventing atrocities than punishing the guilty. * it is doable.

Katsina Times 

@ www.katsinatimes.com 

Jaridar Taskar labarai 

@ www.taskarlabarai.com